Sharp Phils invests P1.3 B in new color inkjet facility

Sharp Philippines Corp. has invested P1.3 billion on a new facility for the full production of color inkjet equipment intended for export to the US, Japan and Europe, it was announced yesterday.

According to Sharp officials, the new facility has been installed at its Alabang site with a total rated capacity of 1.6 million color inkjet units per year which the company will be manufacturing for Sharp, Fuji Xerox Corp. and Xerox Corp.

The officials said its Tokyo-based head office has signed an agreement with Fuji Xerox and Xerox Corp. for the development and production of inkjet products for the small office/home office (SOHO) market.

The company said the demand for color printing has been rapidly increasing with the influx of diverse input devices such as personal computers, digital cameras and color image scanners.

"In particular, the inkjet printer has built a large market in the consumer segment over the last few years by enabling low-cost high quality color printing," said Shigeo Kashimi, Sharp Philippines president.

Under the agreement, Sharp, Fuji Xerox and Xerox plan to combine their technologies to increase efficiency and be able to introduce a competitively priced inkjet products.

Xerox Corp. and Fuji Xerox are in charge of development and production of basic parts while Sharp will be in charge of development and production of basic print engines and inkjet products using the basic parts along with ink development.

Kashimi said the company considered inkjet technology to be critical for future document system products and the alliance will enable the company to utilize its ability to develop products and mass production technology.

"This will allow Sharp to enter into the inkjet business, a promising market for the near future," he said.

Sharp and Fuji Xerox said the alliance would help the group utilize their global sales force and bring a steady stream of various produts to the market.