[February 28, 2013]

IDC Launches Worldwide Quarterly Production Print Tracker with Market Results for 2012

International Data Corporation (IDC) today announced the launch of the Worldwide Quarterly Production Print Tracker. The core of this product is a comprehensive electronic database detailing developments and trends in laser and high-speed inkjet segments, as well as the Label & Packaging market. Data can be drilled down to the model level per vendor. This product provides insightful historical analysis along with five-year forecasts for the market.

The worldwide production environment recorded more than 33,000 unit (printers and MFPs) shipments in 2012. Shipment value increased slightly year over year to more than $2 billion for full year 2012, thanks to positive year-over-year results in the first two quarters.

• Label & Packaging devices saw double-digit growth in both units and shipment value for full year 2012. The segment grew 14% year over year to more than 2,000 units while shipment value increased 30% to $73.9 million.
• Devices in the Mid-production and Production categories increased 33% year over year to approximately 8,000 units in 2012. Shipment value also grew 13% to $1.2 billion.

The analog-to-digital transformation is in full swing, and production digital print is a growth market. Shorter run lengths and variable data requirements are pushing jobs to digital equipment, and improvements within substrate handling, finishing, and image quality mean that digital presses are up to the task. And the digital opportunity within Label & Packaging is even greater, untouched by the technology pressures that impact document and transaction print.

"IDC (News - Alert) expects 2013 to be a transformative year with product launches and vendor consolidation, and the IDC Production Print Tracker will have the timeliest reporting of new product shipments in 2013, including B2-format, cut-sheet inkjet, and nanographic devices, " said Amy Machado, Senior Research Analyst, Hardcopy Peripheral Solutions.

Vendor Highlights

Xerox is the worldwide leader in the Production market, with offerings in every segment, from very light MFPs to full production presses (and recently adding aqueous inkjet with the acquisition of Impika). HP saw double-digit growth (11%) in its production and L&P shipments in 2012, while both Ricoh (News - Alert) and Oc� made strong gains in their high-speed inkjet engine shipments, growing 25% and 27% respectively.

Worldwide Production Market Share, 2012 (based on shipment value)*