[May 17, 2013]

Worldwide Large Format Printer Market Contracted in the First Quarter Amid Mixed Regional and Segment Results, According to IDC

Japan continues to be a bright spot in the worldwide large format printer (LFP) market posting positive year-over-year results in both units shipped (1.2%) and shipment value (1.7%) in the first quarter of 2013 (1Q13). This marks the fifth consecutive quarter where the region recorded year-over-year growth in both units and shipment value. Shipment value for the worldwide LFP market declined 12.0% year over year in 1Q13 on shipments of approximately 75,000 units, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Large Format Printer Tracker.

"Shipments of UV-curable inkjet devices have been growing over the past three years. IDC (News - Alert) expects this trend to continue at a steady pace for the next three years," said Phuong Hang, Program Manager, Worldwide Large Format Printer Trackers.

Technology Highlights

• Despite a year-over-year contraction of 5.6% in 1Q13, technical remains the larger application segment with 45,900 units shipped in the quarter. This represents 61% of the total LFP market, up from 57% a year earlier. Japan and the U.S. were the best performance regions in terms of unit shipments with 7.5% and 11.5% year-over-year growth, respectively.
• The graphics application segment declined 20% year over year and, at 29,000 units shipped, accounts for 39% of the market, down from 43% a year ago. All regions recorded a year-over-year decline in units shipped in this segment with Latin America being the worst impacted region with a 40% decrease in shipments.

Vendor Highlights

• HP remains the undisputed leader in the global LFP market with 40.6% share of unit shipments. HP experienced a year-over-year contraction of 18.4%, losing 3 points of share from a year ago. HP remains the clear leader in the technical segment, its traditional area of strength, with more than three times the share of its next competitor. HP also maintained the number 2 position in the graphics application segment, trailing market leader Epson.
• Epson remains in second place in the overall LFP market and continues to lead the graphics applications segment. Epson's shipments declined 13.7% year over year, but the vendor was able to maintain its 21% share of the overall market. While technical printers are only a small part of its LFP sales, Epson has grown shipments and increased share in this segment over the past year.
• Canon (News - Alert) continues to hold the third place ranking with 16.0% share and close to 12,000 units shipped in the global LFP market. The vendor grew 5.3% year-over-year in the technical segment, where it holds the number 2 position, while posting a decline of 13.1% in the graphics segment, where it holds the third spot.
• Oce (News - Alert), which holds a 3% share of the LFP market, is the number 4 ranked vendor in the worldwide market. Oce's shipments and share declined moderately year over year. Oce holds third place in the technical segment.
• Roland rounds out the top 5 vendors worldwide with a 3% share of the worldwide LFP market, and enjoyed a small uptick in share compared to a year earlier. Roland's strength is the graphics segment, in which it held the number 4 position worldwide and grew 3.4% from a year earlier.

The vendor rankings described above are depicted in a graphic on IDC.com showing the relative market shares (based on unit shipments) of the top 5 LFP vendors for 1Q13 and 1Q12. The graphic is intended for public use in online news articles and social media. The graphic, and instructions on how to embed it, can be found by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

Worldwide Large Format Printer Shipments, Shipment Value Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, First Quarter 2013

Source (News - Alert): IDC Worldwide Quarterly Large Format Printer Tracker, May 2013

Notes:

• IDC tracks A2-A0+ devices in the LFP market
• The LFP market includes single-function printers, as well as multifunctional systems (MFPs). Data for all vendors are reported for calendar periods.

About IDC Trackers

IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools. The IDC Tracker Charts app allows users to view data charts from the most recent IDC Tracker products on their iPhone and iPad.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. For more than 49 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.

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