Epson has expanded its business into the business printing and projector market. It also announced the launch of a new product in the market.

The company expects revenue of Bt2.3 billion this year, a growth of about 10 per cent from Bt2.1 billion in 2010.

Eiji Kato, country manager of Epson (Thailand), said the company is launching seven new printer models to cover all business groups, divided into three series - Epson Office series, K-series and WorkForce Pro series.

The seven printer models are: Epson ME Office 535 - the smallest all-in-one printer; K100 - a single function monochrome inkjet printer; K200 - an all-in-one monochrome printer; K300 - AN all-in-one monochrome inkjet printer with automatic document feeder; WorkForce Pro WP-4011- a single function inkjet printer; WorkForce Pro WP-4511 - an all-in-one inkjet printer; and WorkForce Pro WP-4521 - an all-in-one multifunction fax/scanner/printer.

"We are launching the seven new printers in the market designed for businesses and corporates as it is a high-potential market. We are offering the new products with low running cost, high printing performance, print quality and environment friendliness," said Kato.

Yunyong Muneemongkoltorn, general manager of the company, said the firm had widened its focus from only the consumer market to the business and corporate market so as to boost revenue.

The flood situation in Thailand affected the company with sales revenue dropping by about Bt60 million as customers delayed making their decision on the purchase of a new printer or a new product during the situation. It also expects that sales revenue will return to normal in the first quarter of next year.

Meanwhile, the firm will launch a new campaign, reducing the cost of printers by 30-50 per cent for customers located in flood-hit areas, and also donate printers and projectors to schools located in flooded areas.

The firm expects a 25-per-cent market share of the total inkjet market of 1 million units, 3 per cent from laser printers, which has a total market of 300,000 units, and about 90 per cent in dot matrix printers, which is a total market of 60,000 units.