Lexmark
A global provider of enterprise printing, imaging, document-management, and related technology services.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Lexmark is an American printing and imaging brand headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. Its business centers on laser printers, multifunction devices, printing supplies, document-management software, print-security tools, and managed print services for businesses, government organizations, and other institutions. The company’s roots are in IBM’s printer, typewriter, and keyboard operations, which were separated from IBM in 1991 through a leveraged buyout completed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. Lexmark subsequently developed as an independent manufacturer with a strong emphasis on laser printing and enterprise customers. The company became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1995. During the following two decades, it expanded beyond hardware through software and services acquisitions. These included Perceptive Software, Pallas Athena, Brainware, ISYS, Nolij, Acuo Technologies, AccessVia, Twistage, Saperion, PACSGEAR, ReadSoft, and Kofax. The acquisitions added enterprise content management, intelligent data capture, process management, medical-imaging document workflows, enterprise search, and business-process automation capabilities. Lexmark’s strategy was to connect physical documents and print infrastructure with digital workflows rather than compete solely as a printer manufacturer. Lexmark exited consumer inkjet hardware during the early 2010s. In 2012 it announced the end of inkjet printer production, and in 2013 Funai acquired Lexmark’s inkjet-related technology, patents, research assets, and manufacturing operations. Lexmark instead concentrated more heavily on laser devices, supplies, enterprise software, and managed print services. Its software portfolio was later reorganized following the company’s change in ownership. In 2016, Lexmark was acquired and taken private by a consortium involving Apex Technology, later known as Ninestar, PAG Asia Capital, and Legend Capital. The transaction valued Lexmark at approximately US$3.6 billion. Following the acquisition, Lexmark’s enterprise software activities were separated and reorganized under the Kofax name, while the Perceptive business and several related document-management products moved to other owners, including Hyland. These changes narrowed Lexmark’s direct focus around printing, imaging, print infrastructure, and associated services. Xerox announced an agreement to acquire Lexmark in December 2024. The transaction was completed on July 1, 2025, for a reported US$1.5 billion. Lexmark therefore became part of Xerox while remaining an active customer-facing brand. Xerox stated that it would continue using the Lexmark name for an unspecified period, although it also described a longer-term intention to integrate or consolidate product lines. Lexmark continues to operate internationally, with corporate and research activities across North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions.
History
Lexmark was created on March 27, 1991, when Clayton, Dubilier & Rice completed a leveraged buyout of IBM’s Information Products operations. The separated business included printers, typewriters, and keyboards, providing Lexmark with manufacturing experience, engineering capabilities, and an established enterprise customer base. Lexington, Kentucky, became the company’s headquarters. Lexmark entered the public markets on November 15, 1995, with a listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Its early identity was strongly associated with laser printers and business printing. The company also inherited IBM-related keyboard manufacturing operations. In 1996, the Lexington keyboard facility was separated and subsequently continued as Unicomp after former employees acquired the business, preserving production of buckling-spring keyboard designs outside Lexmark. During the 2000s and 2010s, Lexmark attempted to broaden its business from printer hardware into enterprise software and document automation. It acquired Perceptive Software in 2010 and then added Pallas Athena, Brainware through BDGB Enterprise, ISYS Search Software, Nolij, Acuo Technologies, AccessVia, Twistage, Saperion, PACSGEAR, ReadSoft, and Kofax. Collectively, these purchases gave Lexmark capabilities in enterprise content management, intelligent capture, process mining, medical imaging, workflow, search, and business-process automation. The company changed direction in the consumer printing market when it announced in 2012 that it would stop producing inkjet printers. In 2013, Funai acquired the inkjet business and related assets, including a substantial patent portfolio, development resources, tools, and the Philippine manufacturing facility. Lexmark subsequently concentrated more heavily on laser devices, toner, enterprise printing, and document services. Lexmark’s cartridge policies generated important litigation concerning contractual restrictions, authentication technology, patent exhaustion, and the rights of third-party cartridge companies. In 2005, the Ninth Circuit accepted enforcement of certain single-use cartridge terms in Arizona Cartridge Remanufacturers Association v. Lexmark. In 2017, however, the Supreme Court’s decision in Impression Products v. Lexmark held that a patent owner generally cannot use patent law to control a product after selling it, including in relation to downstream cartridge makers and resellers. The ruling affected the legal framework surrounding Lexmark’s cartridge business, though technical authentication and other mechanisms remained separate issues. In April 2016, Lexmark agreed to be acquired by Apex Technology and PAG Asia Capital, with Legend Capital also participating in the investor consortium. The transaction closed later that year and took Lexmark private. The new owners reorganized the software portfolio: Kofax-branded applications remained associated with the transaction, while Perceptive Content, NolijWeb, Intelligent Capture, and Enterprise Search moved to Hyland or related ownership structures. Lexmark retained its headquarters in Lexington and focused its operating identity more narrowly on printing, imaging, supplies, and services. On December 23, 2024, Xerox announced an agreement to purchase Lexmark. The acquisition closed on July 1, 2025, making Xerox the owner of Lexmark. Xerox indicated that the Lexmark name would continue for an undetermined period while product and business lines were assessed for integration. Lexmark remains an active international brand, supported by research and development operations and commercial activities across multiple regions.
- 2025
Xerox completes acquisition
[1]Xerox completed the acquisition of Lexmark on July 1, 2025.
- 2024
Xerox announces acquisition
[1]Xerox announced an agreement to acquire Lexmark.
- 2017
Supreme Court cartridge decision
[2]The Supreme Court ruled in Impression Products v. Lexmark that patent rights generally end when a patented product is sold.
- 2016
Lexmark becomes privately held
[1]An investor consortium led by Apex Technology and PAG Asia Capital completed the acquisition of Lexmark.
- 2015
Kofax acquisition announced
[1]Lexmark announced a roughly US$1 billion acquisition of Kofax, adding smart-process and automation capabilities.
- 2013
Inkjet assets sold to Funai
[1]Funai agreed to purchase Lexmark’s inkjet technology and associated assets.
- 2012
Inkjet exit announced
[1]Lexmark announced the discontinuation of its inkjet printer manufacturing program.
- 2010
Perceptive Software acquisition
[1]Lexmark acquired Perceptive Software for approximately US$280 million, expanding into enterprise content management and document output management.
- 1995
Public-market listing
[1]Lexmark became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 1991
Lexmark is established
[1]Clayton, Dubilier & Rice completed the leveraged buyout that separated IBM’s Information Products operations and established Lexmark.
Products and positioning
Enterprise-focused printing, imaging, document workflow, and managed print technology provider.
printers
Laser printers
Lexmark’s core hardware range consists of laser printers for office, departmental, and enterprise environments. These products are designed around business requirements such as throughput, network administration, security controls, centralized fleet management, and predictable consumables usage. The line includes monochrome and color devices across different office sizes and duty cycles.
imaging devices
Multifunction printers
Lexmark multifunction devices combine printing with copying, scanning, and, in some configurations, faxing and document workflow functions. They are positioned primarily for organizations that need shared office equipment, user authentication, secure release printing, digitization, and integration with business processes.
consumables
Printing supplies
The supplies portfolio includes toner cartridges and related consumables for Lexmark printing equipment. Supplies form an important part of the company’s recurring business model and are supported by cartridge-authentication, monitoring, recycling, and fleet-management practices.
cloud and print management
Lexmark Cloud Services
Lexmark Cloud Services is a set of cloud-oriented tools for administering print fleets, managing users and devices, monitoring usage, supporting secure printing, and delivering selected workflow functions. It reflects Lexmark’s effort to connect physical printers with remotely managed and software-defined workplace services.
managed services
Enterprise print-management services
Lexmark provides managed print and document services intended to help organizations control device fleets, supplies, security, maintenance, and document processes. These offerings typically combine hardware, software, analytics, support, and consulting rather than treating printers as standalone products.
enterprise software · 2015
Kofax software portfolio
Lexmark expanded into capture, workflow, process management, analytics, and automation through its acquisition of Kofax and other software companies. Following the 2016 ownership change, Kofax-branded applications were separated from Lexmark’s principal printing business, so this is primarily a historical component of Lexmark’s broader software strategy rather than a current core product line.
Controversies
2023
Ninestar import restriction and forced-labor concerns
Ninestar, which was a majority owner of Lexmark, was barred from importing goods into the United States under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Lexmark stated that its investors did not have operational control, while public reporting raised questions about whether Lexmark products or supply chains could be affected. The available reference material does not establish that Lexmark itself violated the law.
Brand decisions
2024
Agreement to sell Lexmark to XeroxM&ABackground
Xerox sought to expand and consolidate its position in workplace printing and document technology.
Action taken
Xerox announced an agreement to acquire Lexmark from its investor consortium.
Aftermath
The transaction closed on July 1, 2025, making Xerox the owner of Lexmark. Xerox said the Lexmark name would continue for an unspecified period while integration plans developed.
Reported acquisition value. US$1.5 billion (2025)
2016
Going-private transactionM&ABackground
Lexmark’s business was under pressure from lower corporate print spending and the shift from personal computers toward mobile devices.
Action taken
An investor consortium involving Apex Technology, PAG Asia Capital, and Legend Capital acquired Lexmark and removed it from public ownership.
Aftermath
The company retained its Lexington headquarters, while its software operations were reorganized and parts of the Perceptive portfolio were transferred to other owners.
Reported transaction value. Approximately US$3.6 billion (2016)
2015
Acquisition of KofaxM&ABackground
Lexmark wanted to strengthen its smart-process, capture, workflow, analytics, and mobile software capabilities.
Action taken
Lexmark announced a roughly US$1 billion acquisition of Kofax.
Aftermath
Kofax became part of Lexmark’s software strategy but was later separated and reorganized after Lexmark was taken private in 2016.
Reported acquisition value. Approximately US$1 billion (2015)
2012
Exit from inkjet printingStrategyBackground
Lexmark faced a changing consumer-printing market and sought to concentrate resources on laser devices, enterprise customers, software, and services.
Action taken
The company announced that it would stop producing inkjet printers and subsequently arranged the sale of its inkjet-related assets to Funai.
Aftermath
Lexmark became more focused on enterprise laser printing, supplies, document management, and managed services.
Reported value of Funai inkjet asset transaction. Approximately US$100 million (2013)
Recent events
- 2025
Xerox completes acquisition of Lexmark[1]
M&A
Xerox completed its acquisition of Lexmark on July 1, 2025. Lexmark became part of Xerox while the Lexmark customer and product brand continued to be used.
- 2024
Lexmark agrees to be acquired by Xerox[1]
M&A
Xerox announced an agreement to acquire Lexmark from its investor consortium in a transaction reported at approximately US$1.5 billion. The proposed deal was intended to expand Xerox’s presence in workplace print and document technology.
- 2017
Impression Products v. Lexmark limits patent-based restrictions on sold cartridges[2]
Lawsuit · Regulation
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a patent holder’s sale of a product generally exhausts U.S. patent rights in that item. The decision limited Lexmark’s ability to use patent law against third-party cartridge manufacturers and resellers, although it did not eliminate contractual or technical cartridge controls.
- 2013
Funai acquires Lexmark inkjet assets[1]
M&A
Funai agreed to acquire Lexmark’s inkjet-related technology, patents, research and development assets, tools, and manufacturing operations for approximately US$100 million.
- 2012
Lexmark ends production of inkjet printers[1]
Product generation
Lexmark announced that it would discontinue production of its inkjet printer line as it shifted its business toward laser printing, enterprise customers, software, and services.
Sources6 sources
- 1Lexmarken.wikipedia.org
- 2Impression Products, Inc. v. Lexmark International, Inc.en.wikipedia.org
- 3Lexmark official websitelexmark.com
- 4利盟推出2款全新A4小型工作组彩色打印机oa.it168.com
- 5Keypoint Intelligence Unveils Buyers Lab PaceSetter Award Winners for the Manufacturing, Logistics, and Retail Marketsprweb.com
- 6Lexmark Industry Advantage offering pairs partners with industry expertsitweb.co.za
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