HP Warns Distributors That Japanese Earthquake Will Impact Toner Cartridge Availability

U.S.-based Hewlett Packard / HP has long relied on Japan-based Canon to manufacture its toner cartridges and laser printers, leaving HP particularly susceptible to any shortages resulting from the Japanese earthquake.

When parts of Japan were devastated by a terrible earthquake on March 11 2011, there seemed little doubt that the printer and supplies industry would be seriously impacted and there would be shortages of some key products. Now, it seems that the industry’s top vendor, HP, which is dependent on Canon for production of laser printers and MFPs and toner cartridges, has sent a letter to various partners indicating that it is concerned about the future availability of certain toner cartridges and LaserJet devices. HP has warned its partners that in response to potential shortages it is restricting distribution of some toner cartridges. There are several affected toner cartridges, listed below:

* C4127A (HP 27A black toner) used in LaserJet 4000 series
* C8061D (HP 61X black toner dual pack) used in LaserJet 4100 series
* C8061X (HP 61X black toner) used in LaserJet 4100 series
* C9730A (HP 645A black toner) used in Color LaserJet 5500 series
* C9733A (HP 645A magenta toner) used in Color LaserJet 5500 series
* CB382A (yellow toner) used in Color LaserJet CP6015, CM6030, CM6040 series
* CB385A (cyan drum) used in Color LaserJet CP6015, CM6030, CM6040 series
* CB387A (magenta drum) used in Color LaserJet CP6015, CM6030, CM6040 series
* CB390A (black toner) used in Color LaserJet CM6030, CM6040 series
* CB540A (HP 125A black toner) used in Color LaserJet CP1215, CP1515, CP1518, CM1312
* CB541A (HP 125A cyan toner) used in Color LaserJet CP1215, CP1515, CP1518, CM1312
* CB542A (HP 125A yellow toner) used in Color LaserJet CP1215, CP1515, CP1518, CM1312
* CB543A (HP 125A magenta toner) used in Color LaserJet CP1215, CP1515, CP1518, CM1312
* CE259A (pack of cyan, yellow, magenta) used in Color LaserJet CP1215, CP1515, CP1518, CM1312
* CC364A (HP 64A black toner) used in LaserJet P4014, P4015, P4515 series
* CC364X (HP 64X black toner) used in LaserJet P4015, P4515 series
* CC364XD (HP 64X black toner dual pack) used in LaserJet P4015, P4515 series
* CC530A (black toner) used in Color LaserJet CP2025, CM2320 series
* CC530AD (black toner dual pack) used in Color LaserJet CP2025, CM2320 series
* CC531A (cyan toner) used in Color LaserJet CP2025, CM2320 series
* CC532A (yellow toner) used in Color LaserJet CP2025, CM2320 series
* CC533A (magenta toner) used in Color LaserJet CP2025, CM2320 series
* CE250A (black toner) used in Color LaserJet CP3525, CM3530 series
* CE250X (black toner) used in Color LaserJet CP3525, CM3530 series
* CE251A (cyan toner) used in Color LaserJet CP3525, CM3530 series
* CE252A (yellow toner) used in Color LaserJet CP3525, CM3530 series
* CE253A (magenta toner) used in Color LaserJet CP3525, CM3530 series
* CE255A (HP 55A black toner) used in LaserJet P3015 series
* CE255X (HP 55X black toner) used in LaserJet P3015 series
* CE260A (black toner) used in Color LaserJet CP4025, CP4525 series
* CE263A (magenta toner) used in Color LaserJet CP4025, CP4525 series
* CE278A (HP 78A black toner) used in LaserJet Pro P1606
* CE285A (HP 85A black toner) used in LaserJet Pro P1102w, Pro M1212nf
* CE314A (HP 126A drum) used in LaserJet Pro CP1025nw
* Q1338A (HP 38A black toner) used in LaserJet 4200 series
* Q1338D (HP 38A black toner dual pack) used in LaserJet 4200 series
* Q1339A (HP 39A black toner) used in LaserJet 4300 series
* Q2610A (HP 10A black toner) used in LaserJet 2300 series
* Q5942A (HP 42A black toner) used in LaserJet 4240, 4250, 4350 series
* Q5945A (HP 45A black toner) used in LaserJet M4345 series
* Q5949A (HP 49A black toner) used in LaserJet 1160, 1320, 3390 series
* Q5949X (HP 49X black toner) used in LaserJet 1320, 3390 series
* Q5949XD (HP 49X black toner dual pack) used in LaserJet 1320, 3390 series
* Q6460A (black toner) used in Color LaserJet 4730, CM4730 series
* Q6463A (magenta toner) used in Color LaserJet 4730, CM4730 series
* Q7553A (HP 53A black toner) used in LaserJet P2015 series, M2727nf
* Q7553X (HP 53X black toner) used in LaserJet P2015 series, M2727nf
* Q7553XD (HP 53X black toner dual pack) used in LaserJet P2015 series, M2727nf
* Q7581A (cyan toner) used in Color LaserJet CP3505, 3800 series
* Q7582A (yellow toner) used in Color LaserJet CP3505, 3800 series
* Q7583A (magenta toner) used in Color LaserJet CP3505, 3800 series

HP has been experiencing shortages of the HP CE285A (or 85A) toner cartridge for months now, and just before the earthquake struck, we had heard that another SKU, the CE278A (or 78A), was in short supply. Canon had problems in ramping up production to meet demand for certain HP toner SKUs before the disaster in Japan, and now the firm obviously faces an even bigger challenge. Some of its manufacturing facilities have been offline for weeks, and transportation systems and other key infrastructure in Japan have been disrupted. Although more manufacturing facilities in Japan are coming back online, all it takes is a disruption somewhere in the supply chain, a shortage of a crucial component in a toner cartridge or laser printer, to impact Canon’s ability to manufacture finished SKUs. HP is obviously expecting to see some shortages and is taking the necessary steps to limit their impact by rationing distribution of some toner cartridges.

We expect to hear more such news in the weeks ahead. As shortages occur, the law of supply and demand would seem to dictate that price increases will follow. We have an in-depth update on the crisis in Japan and its impact on the printer and supplies industry in the works.

Original Source: HP Warns Distributors That Japanese Earthquake Will Impact Toner Cartridge Availability

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Xerox Helps Print Providers Capture New Business in Billion Dollar Photo Applications Market

A new ink from Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) will make it easier for print providers to produce high-revenue, offset-quality photo applications.

Xerox’s new matte dry ink is designed for a range of print jobs, including the photo products consumers are demanding. According to InfoTrends, photo applications such as books, greeting cards and calendars are projected to be a $2.2 billion market by 2014.

The ink is available on the Xerox iGen4® EXP, the latest model built on the award-winning Xerox iGen4 platform.

“Print providers can push the boundaries of digital production with this ink,” said Eric Armour, president, Graphic Communications Business Group, Xerox Corporation. “By adding matte dry ink to the Xerox iGen4 EXP they receive the advantages of high-volume digital printing – such as personalization and automation – as well as image quality that’s virtually indistinguishable from offset.”

The ink provides a consistent and uniform appearance across highlights, mid-tones and shadows – critical for ink-heavy applications such as marketing collateral, collages in photo books and full-page photographs for calendars and greeting cards. It also produces authentic skin tones and natural colors while maintaining fine detail in background images.

Swiss-based Ifolor AG uses Xerox’s matte dry ink for digital photos and greeting cards, as well as specialty items including posters, photo books, writing pads and calendars. “We demand quality. With the iGen4 EXP’s productivity, combined with the new ink, we print high-volume, color-rich applications in minutes,” said Markus Wirth, chief executive officer, Ifolor AG.

The iGen4 EXP offers more image area than competitive devices – translating to more sellable output and increased profits. The solution leverages Xerox FreeFlow® Digital Workflow Collection, along with software and finishing options from Xerox business partners, to streamline and synchronize the production process as needed.

Original Source: Xerox Helps Print Providers Capture New Business in Billion Dollar Photo Applications Market

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Lexmark promotes advances in educational achievement through community contributions

In conjunction with its 20-year anniversary, Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) announced an education initiative to promote math and science achievement in several local communities where Lexmark operates. The nearly $1.7 million in planned investments will advance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

The company's corporate philanthropic focus is on education, with a specific emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math – the foundational studies that technology and engineering-based companies like Lexmark are built upon.

At the latest Community Day event at its corporate headquarters, Lexmark informed local community leaders that it plans to contribute up to $1 million to the University of Kentucky (UK) to support STEM efforts in the Commonwealth. The funds will be used to renovate and equip UK's STEM outreach center for P-20 (pre-school through graduate studies) math and science educators and students.

Lexmark also plans to contribute up to $300,000 to Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, Ky., to fund the purchase of laboratory equipment for its 12 middle schools, a critical need to support STEM resources at this educational level.

Also announced as part of Lexmark's investment:
* A $250,000 planned endowment to the University of Colorado, establishing a scholarship fund for students in the College of Engineering & Applied Science. The scholarship recognizes Paul J. Curlander, Lexmark's executive chairman and chairman of the board of directors, for his many years of service to Lexmark.
* A $100,000 planned donation to a local magnet high school in Cebu, Philippines, to create the Lexmark Science and eResearch Lab, which will focus on technology research and education.
* A teacher recognition program to highlight and reward outstanding science, technology and math teachers. Lexmark will model its program after a successful Perceptive Software recognition program in Kansas, and extend it to Kentucky, Colorado and the Philippines. Selected teachers will receive a $1,000 cash award to further math and science education in their classrooms.

Supporting Quotes:

"Whether it's through volunteer hours, monetary contributions or in-kind donations, we believe it's imperative to give back to the communities that have long shown their support to Lexmark," said Paul Rooke, Lexmark president and chief executive officer. "Not only are we committed to recognizing educators and enriching the lives of students in the areas of STEM, we are focused on building the pipeline of future engineers and innovators that enable companies like Lexmark to succeed in today's competitive and fast-moving technology marketplace."

"Lexmark and the University of Kentucky share a commitment to education in science, technology, engineering and math," said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. "This generous gift will help to ensure our ongoing support of educational excellence at all levels for these important disciplines that fuel innovation and a brighter future for the Commonwealth."

"The renovated building will house a training facility to provide professional development to Kentucky science and math teachers, a new lab for fieldwork-based ecology education, and a shared meeting room for community outreach," said UK Provost Kumble Subbaswamy. "Our math and science outreach operations will benefit from much-needed storage and work space, as well as a large area to assemble the educational materials that help science teachers encourage inquiry-based learning among Kentucky students."

"Lexmark has been a great corporate citizen for this community for many years, and this is one more example of their outstanding support for education," said Fayette County Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman. "This gift will enhance our middle school science programs and help to further engage our students in the STEM areas. On behalf of our kids, we are extremely thankful."

Original Source: Lexmark promotes advances in educational achievement through community contributions

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