Industry identity and Ricoh’s print production group general manager Kathy Wilson is leaving the company at the end of the month, destination unknown. Wilson has been general manager of Ricoh’s print production group for the past five years, in that time taking the company from the fringes of commercial print to the mainstream.

She says, “I need time to consider the next challenge, so the best path for me is to take a break. Ricoh has come a long way in production print in the last five years, we have grown substantially, have a broader product range, and a growing market share.” Ricoh has become a strong production player in the copyshop, franchise and inplant sectors, and through its tie-up with Heidelberg at drupa last year is now a major supplier to commercial printers. Wilson says, “Ricoh has a lot of satisfied customers, and it is these printers that I will miss. There is a bright future for print, but it will be brightest as part of a communications mix. Those printers that either bring on board new communications skills or more likely partner with competent companies will be well placed.” The future for high speed webfed inkjet is also predicted to be strong by Wilson. She says, “There are multiple developments in technology, heads, inks and paper that are going to mean commercial printers will be installing our continuous feed printers.” Wilson joined Ricoh from EFI in the US.

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