Ricoh

Corporate brand

Japanese multinational provider of office technology, commercial and industrial printing, imaging products, and digital workplace services.

Last updated October 14, 2026

AI crawler reads

No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.

Overview

Ricoh is a Japanese multinational technology company whose business developed from photographic and office imaging products into a broader portfolio of digital workplace, printing, automation, and managed services. Founded in Tokyo in 1936 by Kiyoshi Ichimura, the company originated from the photographic-paper activities of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research. Its early identity was closely associated with cameras, photographic materials, and office equipment, but Ricoh became internationally recognized through copiers, multifunction printers, fax machines, and document-management systems. A major turning point came with the launch of the RICOPY 101, which established Ricoh as a serious participant in office automation. Over subsequent decades, the company expanded through product development, overseas operations, and acquisitions. Its international growth included the acquisition of established office-equipment businesses such as Savin, Gestetner, Lanier, and IBM's large-format printing business. In 2008, Ricoh acquired IKON Office Solutions, a large North American office-equipment distributor, to strengthen its direct sales and service network. The transaction increased Ricoh's North American reach but also exposed the difficulties of integrating a major overseas distribution business during the global financial crisis and a period of structural decline in traditional office printing. Ricoh's historic business remains centered on office printing and document workflows. Its portfolio includes multifunction printers, printers, production-printing systems, industrial inkjet technologies, scanners, projectors, cameras, supplies, and related software. The company has increasingly combined these products with consulting, managed services, cloud applications, information governance, business-process automation, and workplace technology. This shift reflects the declining long-term demand for conventional office printing and the growing need for digitized workflows, hybrid work environments, automation, and secure information management. The RICOH THETA 360-degree camera illustrates Ricoh's effort to use imaging technology as a platform for new services rather than relying only on hardware sales. THETA products support consumer and professional 360-degree imaging, while associated software and cloud capabilities have been applied to virtual tours, workplace visualization, real-estate documentation, and marketing. In 2018 Ricoh also launched RICOH 360 for Ad, a digital advertising service that used 360-degree imagery and automated image attention techniques to create interactive banner advertising. Ricoh has pursued a similar transformation through acquisitions. DocuWare strengthened cloud-based document management, while Axon Ivy expanded business-process automation capabilities. The group also acquired or integrated businesses connected with industrial printing, workflow software, healthcare, audiovisual integration, and professional workplace services. The 2022 acquisition of an initial majority stake in PFU, followed by the purchase of the remaining shares in 2025, expanded Ricoh's capabilities in scanners, information capture, and enterprise document processing. More recent transactions described in company and transaction references include acquisitions in audiovisual integration, process automation, and digital workplace services in North America, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Ricoh's stated corporate philosophy is rooted in the San-Ai Spirit associated with its founder: loving people, loving the country, and loving one's work. Its contemporary purpose is expressed through the idea of bringing joy to work by helping people use technology and human creativity more effectively. Under its digital-services strategy, Ricoh positions itself less as a conventional copier manufacturer and more as a global integrator connecting physical workplaces, edge devices, software, cloud systems, managed services,…

History

Ricoh was established in Tokyo in 1936 when Kiyoshi Ichimura separated the photographic-paper business of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research into an independent enterprise. The company's original activities were connected with photographic materials and imaging, but its long-term growth was driven by the development of office equipment. Ricoh's office-machines business gained momentum with the RICOPY 101, which helped establish the company in the copier market and laid the foundation for its later international identity. During the postwar expansion of Japanese manufacturing, Ricoh broadened its office-technology portfolio. Copiers, printers, fax machines, and related supplies and services became central to the business. The company developed a reputation for combining imaging hardware with distribution, maintenance, and customer support. This model was particularly important in Japan, where Ricoh built extensive customer relationships and a strong service network. From the 1990s through the 2000s, Ricoh pursued overseas expansion through acquisitions and the construction of international sales channels. Important transactions included the acquisition of Savin and Gestetner, the purchase of Lanier, the acquisition of Hitachi Printing Solutions, and the purchase of IBM's large-format printer business. These deals helped Ricoh expand its product portfolio and reach customers outside Japan. The strategy culminated in the 2008 acquisition of IKON Office Solutions, an independent North American office-equipment distributor with a broad sales and service network. The IKON transaction increased Ricoh's presence in North America but was completed immediately after the global financial crisis began. Weak business investment, changing office-printing demand, integration costs, and differences between the acquired distribution model and Ricoh's established Japanese operating practices made the expected benefits difficult to realize. The episode became an important lesson in the limits of using acquisitions to transfer a successful domestic sales model into other markets. As office work became increasingly digital, demand for conventional copying and printing faced structural pressure. Ricoh responded by expanding into production printing, industrial inkjet, cloud document management, workflow software, managed IT, information capture, and business-process automation. The company also explored new imaging-based business models. RICOH THETA, a line of compact 360-degree cameras, became a platform for applications in virtual tours, real estate, workplace visualization, and digital marketing. In 2018, Ricoh launched RICOH 360 for Ad, which used THETA imagery and automated image analysis to support interactive online advertising. Ricoh's transformation accelerated in the late 2010s and early 2020s. The acquisition of DocuWare in 2019 strengthened cloud-based document management, while the 2022 acquisition of Axon Ivy expanded capabilities in digital process automation. Ricoh also invested in industrial printing and acquired or integrated businesses in areas such as cloud billing, inkjet technologies, and digital painting. Its acquisition of an 80 percent stake in PFU from Fujitsu in 2022, followed by the acquisition of the remaining shares in 2025, expanded the group's capabilities in scanners, document capture, and information processing. The group's later expansion has emphasized workplace experience and process automation. References describe acquisitions involving professional audiovisual integration in North America, digital workplace and multimedia services in the Asia-Pacific region, and document and workflow automation in Chile. These moves show how Ricoh is using its global customer relationships and service infrastructure to broaden beyond print hardware. Leadership has followed this strategic transition. Yoshinori Yamashita, who became president and CEO in 2017, promoted a broad restructuring and a shift toward digital services. Akira Oyama became president and CEO in 2023. His stated priorities included connecting the physical and digital worlds, using edge devices to bridge analog and digital environments, and strengthening global customer contact. Ricoh's current corporate narrative combines this transformation with the founder's San-Ai Spirit and the purpose of bringing greater joy to work. The company therefore presents its future as that of a global integrator of hardware, software, automation, managed services, and workplace solutions rather than solely a copier manufacturer.

2025
PFU becomes wholly owned
[12]PFU becomes wholly ownednihon-ma.co.jp
Ricoh acquired the remaining shares of PFU, completing the transition to full ownership.
2023
Akira Oyama becomes president and CEO
[11]Akira Oyama becomes president and CEOjapan.zdnet.com
Oyama succeeded Yoshinori Yamashita and continued the company's digital-services transformation.
2022
Axon Ivy and PFU transactions expand digital capabilities
[7]Ricoh's M&A strategy and digital-services transformationmarr.jp
Ricoh acquired Axon Ivy to strengthen process automation and acquired an initial majority stake in PFU from Fujitsu.
2020
Digital-services transformation becomes a central strategy
[7]Ricoh's M&A strategy and digital-services transformationmarr.jp
Ricoh declared a transformation toward becoming a digital-services company and identified software, automation, edge devices, and workplace services as growth areas.
2019
DocuWare acquired
[7]Ricoh's M&A strategy and digital-services transformationmarr.jp
The acquisition strengthened Ricoh's cloud document-management and workflow capabilities.
2018
RICOH 360 for Ad launches
[5]Ricoh launches RICOH 360 for Adjp.ricoh.com
Ricoh entered digital advertising with a service combining THETA 360-degree imagery, automated attention analysis, ad delivery, and performance measurement.
2015
Ricoh partners with Interconnect for direct marketing
[6]Ricoh direct-marketing expansionmag.sendenkaigi.com
Ricoh and Interconnect began working together on direct-marketing planning, data analysis, creative production, and promotional services.
2008
IKON Office Solutions acquired
[4]Ricoh and IKON Office Solutions acquisition historythe-shashi.com
Ricoh acquired North American distributor IKON Office Solutions to expand its sales and service network in the region.
2007
IBM large-format printer business acquired
[4]Ricoh and IKON Office Solutions acquisition historythe-shashi.com
Ricoh acquired IBM's large-format printer business as part of its effort to broaden international printing capabilities.
1995
Overseas acquisition strategy expands
[4]Ricoh and IKON Office Solutions acquisition historythe-shashi.com
Ricoh began a major phase of overseas expansion with acquisitions including Savin and Gestetner.
1955
RICOPY 101 strengthens Ricoh's office-equipment business
[10]RICOPY 101 strengthens Ricoh's office-equipment businessthe-shashi.com
The RICOPY 101 helped move Ricoh into office copying and became an important foundation for its later office-automation business.
1936
Ricoh is founded
[1]Ricoh sustainability message and corporate philosophyjp.ricoh.com
Kiyoshi Ichimura established the company after separating a photographic-paper business from the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research.

Products and positioning

A global workplace-technology and digital-services provider transitioning from a traditional office-equipment manufacturer toward integrated document, process-automation, printing, audiovisual, and workplace-experience solutions.

Office equipment
Multifunction printers and copiers
Ricoh's traditional core products combine printing, copying, scanning, and document distribution. They are sold with consumables, maintenance, security controls, workflow software, and managed-print services for businesses and public-sector organizations.
Commercial printing
Production printing systems
Production-printing systems are designed for commercial printers, in-house print departments, transactional documents, publishing, and high-volume color or monochrome work. Ricoh combines presses and finishing options with workflow, color-management, and service capabilities.
Industrial printing
Industrial inkjet solutions
Ricoh applies inkjet technologies to industrial and commercial applications beyond conventional office printing. These capabilities include specialized print systems, production technologies, and solutions intended to integrate imaging expertise with customers' manufacturing or decoration processes.
Imaging devices · 2013
RICOH THETA
RICOH THETA is a family of compact 360-degree cameras that capture spherical images in a single operation. The products support consumer, professional, tourism, real-estate, inspection, virtual-tour, and workplace-visualization applications, while related software and services extend the value of the hardware.
Digital advertising service · 2018
RICOH 360 for Ad
RICOH 360 for Ad used 360-degree images, automated attention-area analysis, interactive banner technology, and advertising measurement. The service was designed to make static spherical imagery more engaging while retaining lower file-size characteristics than conventional video advertising.
Cloud document management
DocuWare
DocuWare provides cloud and workflow-oriented document-management capabilities. Within Ricoh's broader portfolio, it supports the digitization, storage, retrieval, routing, and controlled processing of business information.
Digital services
Digital workplace and managed services
Ricoh provides workplace, managed IT, audiovisual, collaboration, document, and business-process services. These offerings are intended to connect workplace infrastructure with cloud platforms, automation, security, and ongoing operational support.

Marketing campaigns

2024Labor Thanksgiving Day campaign: Make room for work
Japan
On Labor Thanksgiving Day, Ricoh placed a full-page newspaper advertisement in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun using the message 'Make room for work.' The deliberately spacious layout used empty space as a visual metaphor for reducing routine work and creating time for human creativity.
Outcome. The campaign communicated Ricoh's purpose of improving work beyond simple productivity and was subsequently recognized with an excellence award in the corporate-brand category of the Nikkei Advertising Awards.
Source
2023Working with joy storytelling campaign
Japan
Ricoh's advertising and corporate-storytelling activity presented people and organizations using work, technology, and community activity to create social value. The campaign was associated with the group's purpose of bringing joy to work.
Outcome. The campaign strengthened Ricoh's corporate positioning around human creativity, social contribution, and the transformation of work.
Source
2018RICOH 360 for Ad
Japan
Ricoh entered digital advertising with interactive banner advertisements built from THETA 360-degree images. Its technology could automatically identify attention areas and orient the image toward those areas during display.
Outcome. Ricoh reported that the service's click-through rates were approximately 1.5 to 2 times those of comparable static-image advertising in its own results. The service was positioned as a new business model for THETA imaging technology.
Source
2015Ricoh direct-marketing services
Japan
Through cooperation with Interconnect, Ricoh expanded from supplying printing equipment toward offering direct-marketing planning, customer-data analysis, campaign design, creative production, marketing automation, and printed direct-mail solutions.
Outcome. The initiative supported Ricoh's effort to connect marketing strategy, digital communications, and commercial printing in a single service proposition.
Source

Brand decisions

2026
Expand workplace experience and process automation through regional acquisitionsM&A
Background
Ricoh sought to strengthen audiovisual integration, workplace services, and process automation in growth markets.
Action taken
References describe acquisitions of Presentation Products in the United States, ValueTech in Chile, and Global Vision Multimedia Group in the Asia-Pacific region.
Aftermath
The transactions were intended to broaden Ricoh's regional delivery capabilities and support integrated workplace and automation services.
Source
2025
Complete the acquisition of PFUM&A
Background
Ricoh had already acquired a majority stake in PFU and sought full ownership to deepen control over the information-capture and document-processing business.
Action taken
Ricoh acquired the remaining shares of PFU from Fujitsu and made PFU a wholly owned subsidiary.
Aftermath
PFU became fully integrated into Ricoh's portfolio of scanners, information-capture products, and digital-document solutions.
Source
2022
Acquire Axon Ivy and an initial majority stake in PFUM&A
Background
Ricoh identified process automation, information capture, and digital document workflows as important components of its digital-services transformation.
Action taken
Ricoh acquired Axon Ivy and purchased an initial 80 percent stake in PFU from Fujitsu.
Aftermath
The transactions expanded Ricoh's process-automation, scanning, information-capture, and enterprise-workflow capabilities.
Source
2020
Transform into a digital-services companyStrategy
Background
Declining structural demand for conventional office printing encouraged Ricoh to identify new growth areas in software, automation, edge devices, and workplace services.
Action taken
Ricoh made digital-services transformation a central strategic objective and planned significant growth investment, including acquisitions.
Aftermath
The strategy reshaped the group's acquisition priorities and portfolio toward document management, process automation, digital workplaces, and managed services.
Source
2018
Launch RICOH 360 for AdProduct launch
Background
Ricoh was exploring ways to turn THETA's 360-degree imaging technology into recurring business-to-business services rather than relying only on camera hardware.
Action taken
The company launched a service combining spherical imagery, automated attention-area analysis, interactive banner delivery, and advertising measurement.
Aftermath
The launch represented Ricoh's entry into digital advertising and demonstrated an application of its imaging, data, and artificial-intelligence capabilities.
Source
2015
Expand into direct marketing and marketing supportStrategy
Background
Ricoh wanted to broaden its relationship with customers beyond equipment sales and connect marketing services with commercial printing and document workflows.
Action taken
Ricoh partnered with Interconnect to provide planning, data analysis, creative production, marketing automation, and direct-mail support.
Aftermath
The initiative helped establish a broader marketing-services proposition alongside Ricoh's printing and document-technology businesses.
Source
2008
Acquire IKON Office SolutionsM&A
Background
Ricoh sought to reinforce its North American sales and service network and accelerate international growth as the domestic office-equipment market matured.
Action taken
Ricoh acquired IKON Office Solutions and integrated its extensive North American distribution and service operations.
Aftermath
The acquisition encountered difficult market conditions after the global financial crisis, as well as integration and business-model challenges. It later became associated with substantial impairment pressure, illustrating the risks of transferring a domestic distribution model through overseas acquisition.
Source

Sources13 sources

Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/リコー · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled