Canon announces 2012 results

According to a press release, Canon’s Office Business Unit, enjoyed continued hearty demand for color MFDs, such as imageRunner Advance C5000/C2000-series models; sales volumes of both monochrome and color MFDs increased from the year-ago period. In addition, sales of the imagePress C7010VPS-series color MFDs for production printing, that were jointly developed by Canon and Océ, contributed to sales growth. Sales volumes of laser printers, on the other hand, declined mainly in Europe due to the overall economic environment. Consequently, sales for the segment totaled Yen 1,757.6 billion (US-$ 20.2 billion/Euro 14.25 billion), a decline of 8.4 percent year on year, while operating profit decreased by 21.5 percent to Yen 203.6 billion (US-$ 2.34 billion/Euro 1.65 billion) for the year.

In Canon’s Imaging System Business Unit, unit sales of interchangeable-lens digital cameras increased thanks to the competitively priced EOS Rebel series along with the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS 60D advanced-amateur models. Despite the significant deterioration of market conditions, sales of compact digital cameras remained at the same level as the previous year thanks to robust sales of the PowerShot ELPH 110 HS and PowerShot A2300.

Sales of inkjet printers surpassed the year-ago period due to the early restoration of production following the flooding in Thailand.

Furthermore, the company said it successfully entered new markets with the launch of its Cinema Eos System lineup of professional cinematography products, targeting Hollywood and the broader motion picture and television production market, along with the new DreamLabo 5000, targeting the commercial photo printing market. As a result, sales for the segment increased by 7.2 percent year on year to Yen 1,406.0 billion (US-$ 16.16 billion/Euro 11.4 billion) while operating profit decreased by 0.5 percent to Yen 210.3 billion (US-$ 2.42 billion/Euro 1.71 billion). The Industry and Others Business Unit recorded sales of Yen 407.8 billion (US-$ 4.69 billion/Euro 3.3 billion), a decrease of 3.1 percent year on year, while operating profit was down 75.7 percent to Yen 5.9 billion(US-$ 68 million/Euro 47.8 million).

For 2013, while the challenging conditions from the previous year will continue,Canon expects a moderate recovery of the global economy in the latter half of the year. The U.S. economy is expected to achieve moderate growth thanks to improved unemployment conditions and housing issues. The economy in Europe is forecast to remain sluggish throughout the year. Emerging economies such as China and India are expected to recover from the previous year’s temporary slowdown to achieve high growth rates of growth. Japan, buoyed by aggressive economic policies and the recovery of the global economy, is expected to emerge from recession in the latter half of the year.

In the businesses in which Canon is involved, demand for MFDs is projected to grow steadily while the laser printer market is expected to recover. Demand for interchangeable-lens digital cameras is expected to continue its growth iacross all regions. Canon said while the compact digital camera market will shrink due to economic conditions and the spread of smartphones, the impact on advanced-functionality, high-value-added products will likely be relatively small. As for inkjet printers, demand overall is expected to remain around the same level as that for the year just ended.