HP bets big on the laser market

Riding high on its 30 percent growth last year as against the 23 percent
growth of the overall market, the laser printer division of HP India is thinking
big this year. With this market still having a lot of potential to tap, it is
all set to grow in this segment, informed Samir Shah, Country Category Manager
(Shared Printing and Connectivity–Imaging & Printing Group), HP India.

"This year we have taken three broad initiatives to make this market
grow. Firstly, we want to make technology more affordable to the people and give
value for money and secondly, make color the mainstream. For this, we had
recently, launched an initiative called ‘color in office’. Thirdly, we are
looking from the con-vergence perspective. Analo-gue and digital are now at a
point of converging and we would like to be a part of it," elaborated Shah.

"Earlier we were not that aggressive on the convergence front, but now
this area has be-come of our main focus. It’s not only the A class cities,
which have a market yet to be utilized fully but B and C class cities too,
therefore, these smaller cities are equally important. While in A class cities
we inform the people about our technology through editorials and newswires,
in  smaller cities, we organize events and seminars. Apart from these, we
organize trainings for our channel partners too."

On the question of appoint-ing more channel partners, Shah replied,
"Right now, we have no plans to appoint more channel partners. I think at
the moment we have enough partners and would like to build on them."

He also added, "We also give support to channel partners if they want to
organize an event or seminar or roadshow. Each region has a different need and
we can’t decide their needs sitt-ing here. Therefore, we provide them with
financial support."

According to IDC about five percent of Y-o-Y growth is expected from the
laser segment. And the mono laser segment will primarily drive the growth. The
market researcher further added that government and corporate buying would
continue to be the major contributors to the laser market.

Karma Negi

Gurgaon