Canon Inc's Business Segments

Canon is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of office multifunction devices (“MFDs”), plain paper copying machines, laser printers, inkjet printers, cameras and lithography equipment.

Canon sells its products principally under the Canon brand name and through sales subsidiaries. Each of these subsidiaries is responsible for marketing and distribution to retail dealers in an assigned territory.

Canon’s strategy is to develop innovative, high value-added products incorporating advanced technologies.

Canon’s research and development activities range from basic research to product-oriented research directed at maintaining and increasing Canon’s technological leadership in the marketplace.

Canon will work to realize the optimized global allocation of its production assets based on changes in local conditions in each country. Canon has manufacturing subsidiaries in a variety of countries, including the United States, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
As a concerned member of the world community, Canon emphasizes recycling and has increased its use of clean energy sources and cleaner manufacturing processes. Canon has also launched programs to collect and recycle used Canon cartridges and to refurbish used Canon copying machines. In addition, Canon has removed virtually all environmentally unfriendly chemicals from its manufacturing processes.

Canon operates its business in three segments: the “Office Business Unit,” the “Imaging System Business Unit” and the “Industry and Others Business Unit”.

Canon manufactures, markets and services a full range of MFDs, printers, copying machines for personal and office use and production print products for print professionals. Canon also delivers added value to customers through software, services and solutions. Canon’s offerings cater to a broad market from Small Office Home Office (“SOHO”), and Small and Midsize Business (“SMB”) to large enterprises and professional graphic arts companies.

Canon manufactures and markets digital cameras and digital video camcorders, as well as lenses and various related accessories.
Canon expanded the imaging domains of EOS by launching four new digital SLR cameras, including EOS 5DS / EOS 5DS R which achieved the highest resolution in the history of the EOS, and two new mirrorless cameras EOS M3 and EOS M10. Moreover, Canon also strengthened its product lineup by adding new storage device Connect Station CS100 that offers brand new image experiences. These new models as well as the current models pushed sales and Canon maintained number one market share in the field of interchangeable lens digital cameras in volume terms in the major regions, such as the United States, Europe, and Japan. Canon believes there remains considerable room for future growth through development of new products based on state-of-the-art technology following the trend of higher quality picture, small and light weight body and versatile movie / network functions.

In the market for semiconductor lithography equipment, investments by memory makers have been favorable due to the increase in demand for memory devices, drawn by the growth of the mobile device market such as smartphones and the expansion of the cloud server market for Big Data utilization. Moreover, investments for image sensor production have been performing well, with expectations of market expansion in on-vehicle cameras and medical devices and network cameras in addition to mobile devices.

 

Canon Inc. a leading global company in imaging and technology, offers a diverse range of products and services across several business units. Below is an extensive description of its segments, products, and services:

1. Office Business Unit

Canon’s Office Business Unit is focused on providing a comprehensive range of imaging equipment, solutions, and services designed to meet the needs of various market segments, from small offices to large enterprises and print professionals.

Products and Services:
- Multifunction Devices (MFDs): Canon produces high-quality MFDs that integrate printing, scanning, copying, and faxing capabilities. These devices cater to both personal and commercial use.
- Printers: Canons printer lineup includes both monochrome and color printers. The transition towards color printing and cloud-connected devices has been a major focus.
- Production Print Products: These are high-performance printing systems designed for commercial print businesses, including:
- The imagePRESS series, which includes models like the imagePRESS C10000VP and imagePRESS C8000VP. These models are popular in professional print environments due to their superior print quality and productivity capabilities.
- The imageRUNNER ADVANCE series provides MFP options in both color and monochrome, emphasizing efficiency and ease of use in office environments.

Integration of Solutions: Canon also offers software solutions that enhance productivity, such as:
- MEAP (Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform): Enables the development of customized applications for MFDs.
- imageWARE Suite: For document management and workflow optimization.
- Enterprise Imaging Platform (EIP): For business process automation.
- Managed Document Services (MDS): Aimed at reducing the total cost of ownership and improving management of printing devices.

Imaging System Business Unit

Canon is a significant player in the digital camera and optics market, offering products for both consumers and professionals.

Products:
- Digital Cameras: The EOS series includes:
- Digital SLRs like the EOS 5DS and 5DS R, known for their exceptional resolution.
- Mirrorless cameras such as the EOS M3 and M10, focusing on compact design with advanced features that appeal to casual users and enthusiasts alike.

- Lenses: Canons lens portfolio exceeds 90, including advanced Cinema Lenses and a wide range of EF and RF mount lenses, known for high optical performance.

- Compact Digital Cameras: In response to market trends, Canon has introduced models like the PowerShot G9 X and G5 X, focusing on larger sensors and higher image quality.

- Printing Solutions: The SELPHY series offers portable photo printers well-suited for smartphone users, showcasing Canons capabilities in merging digital devices with traditional printing.

- Camcorders: While the conventional camcorder market has declined, Canon has innovated with products for filming, such as the XC10 for 4K video and the EOS C300 Mark II for cinema production.

Industry and Others Business Unit

Canons specialized technology extends into sectors such as semiconductor lithography and medical imaging.

Products and Services:
- Semiconductor Lithography Equipment: Canon provides a range of steppers and scanners utilized in memory and logic device fabrication, as well as i-line steppers optimized for high-accuracy applications.
- Notable models include the FPA-3030i5+ for LED and power device production and the FPA-6300 series for advanced silicon production.

- Flat Panel Display (FPD) Lithography: Canon is involved in producing lithography equipment for large panel production, responding to the rise in demand for higher-resolution displays.
- The MPAsp-H800 series stands out for its productivity and resolution capacity.

- Medical Equipment: Canon has developed a strong presence in X-ray equipment, transitioning from CR to DR systems and offering products with advanced features such as wireless connectivity and superior image quality.

- Network Cameras: Originally focusing on security and surveillance, Canons VB series cameras and new offerings integrating advanced imaging and processing technologies cater to broader applications, including industrial and operational uses.

In summary, Canon Inc. continues to innovate across its diverse segments, providing a complete range of products and services while adapting to market trends such as mobility, connectivity, and advanced imaging technologies. The company’s strong focus on R&D ensures its offerings align with evolving customer needs and technological advancements in imaging and document solutions.