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Company History

Driving digitization

In 1987, we pioneered the multifunctional digital copier for the office with the IMAGIO 320. In 1996, we helped popularize digital models by launching the imagio MF200, a compact and highly affordable copier. We thereafter released networkable and color offerings. We reinforced our overseas production structure, notably by establishing Ricoh Asia Industry (Shenzhen) Ltd. We broadened our international sales network in 1995, acquiring Savin Corporation and Gestetner Holdings PLC in the process.

Corporate Milestones
1985 - 1999
Product & Technology Milestones
Feb. 1985

Ricoh introduces the "RICOH COLOR 5000", the first analog color copier.

Mar. 1985

Ricoh awarded Ohkochi Memorial Production Prize for development of multi-product production system for plain-paper copiers.

May. 1985

Ricoh develops speech recognition and optical character recognition technology.

Oct. 1985

Ricoh opens Gotemba Plant, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Apr. 1986

Ricoh founds Ricoh Research and Development Center in Yokohama in commemoration of 50th year of operations.

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Apr. 1986
Corporate Milestones

Ricoh Research and Development Center in Yokohama founded to commemorate the company’s 50th anniversary

Ricoh Research and Development Center is located in an area of lush greenery
Ricoh Research and Development Center is located in an area of lush greenery
Community Plaza on the first floor of the Ricoh Research and Development Center
Community Plaza on the first floor of the Ricoh Research and Development Center

Ricoh Research and Development Center was founded as one of the commemorative events of the company’s 50th anniversary. It was set up to become the core function of the company’s multi-lab project to enhance its system for comprehensive R&D activities from the long-term perspective. The center opened on April 23, 1986 within the Kohoku New Town district in Yokohama. The facilities cover a total area of 16,700㎡ and include not only a range of laboratories for precision measurement and analysis as well as clean rooms, but also spaces designed to encourage researchers’ inventive efforts and interactions. The establishment serves as Ricoh’s key R&D base that undertakes a full range of activities, from basic and applied studies to commercial use research.

Apr. 1986

  • Adapts a new coporate logo in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
  • Ricoh Espana S.A. established.

May. 1986

Ricoh France S.A. established.

Jun. 1987

Releases the IMAGIO 320 office-use digital copier

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Jun. 1987
Product & Technology Milestones

Releases the IMAGIO 320 office-use digital copier

IMAGIO 320 (1987)
IMAGIO 320 (1987)

Before the IMAGIO 320 was launched, the commercial photocopier market was dominated by monochrome analog models, with digital models marginalized due to unaffordable unit prices (exceeding 2 million yen on average) and extremely large sizes that prevented their installation in standard offices. To overcome these challenges, Ricoh developed the IMAGIO 320, a more compact and affordable digital copier for office use. We reduced the body dimensions to a practical size and brought the price down to below 1 million yen. In addition, we incorporated multiple advanced features into the model, including functions to reproduce unprecedented image quality, an extensive image editor selection, automatic control, and multifunctionality to enable operational interaction with other office equipment. Being more practical, sophisticated and less costly, the product sold well over 20,000 units in its first 12 months, making it a massive hit.

Apr. 1987

  • Ricoh Corporation founded in the USA.
  • Ricoh Industrie France S.A. established.

Oct. 1987

The “OHP313R” awarded Good Design Grand Award.

Apr. 1988

Ricoh Microelectronics Co., Ltd. founded in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, for cutting-edge FA manufacturing of electronic circuit parts.

Apr. 1989

Ricoh opens Yashiro Plant for manufacturing electronic devices in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Apr. 1989

Ricoh launches the “RIFAX D7000”, the world's first ISDN G4 digital facsimile machine.

Sep. 1989

Ricoh signs a contract of the Worldwide Sponsorship in facsimile machine category for 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

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Sep. 1989
Corporate Milestones

Ricoh signs a contract for the Worldwide Sponsorship in facsimile machine category for 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games

Ricoh’s Olympic Fax Network
Ricoh’s Olympic Fax Network
Then IOC President Juan Samaranch and Ricoh President Hamada signed the agreement (at Takanawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo, on September 19, 1989)
Then IOC President Juan Samaranch and Ricoh President Hamada signed the agreement (at Takanawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo, on September 19, 1989)

On September 19, 1989, Ricoh signed an agreement to become the 1992 Barcelona Olympics Worldwide Sponsor in the facsimile category. Based on this agreement, the company constructed the Olympic Fax Network to connect the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to around 40 related sports associations in 167 countries. This worldwide network greatly enhanced international communication among the organizations involved, which previously had to rely on postal and telex systems to exchange messages. Through this project, we were able to contribute considerably to a more accurate, speedy and smoother Olympic Games.

Jul. 1990

Construction of Ricoh Electronics, Inc. Georgia Plant completed in the suburbs of Atlanta, the fourth of its kind in the USA.

Sep.1990

Ricoh Italia S.p.A. established.

Oct. 1990

Introduces ARTAGE 8000, Ricoh’s first digital color copier

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Oct. 1990
Corporate Milestones

Introduces ARTAGE 8000, Ricoh’s first digital color copier

Foursome drive developed by Ricoh, adopting 
a “one-scan, four-beam, four drum tandem” system
Foursome drive developed by Ricoh, adopting a “one-scan, four-beam, four drum tandem” system
ARTAGE 8000 (1990)
ARTAGE 8000 (1990)

The standard technology adopted for color copiers around 1990 required repeated imaging processing for four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) loaded on a single drum to reproduce one color copy. This was a time-consuming process, taking about five minutes on average to make one A4-page copy. Identifying an opportunity in this limitation, Ricoh developed a four-drum photoreceptor system that could process the four colors in tandem, which was a vital function built into the new digital color model. The resulting ARTAGE 8000 boasted the capability of an outstanding high-speed color printing output of 15 ppm, which was the world’s fastest at that time. The product was also designed to accept various paper types. The introduction of ARTAGE 8000 increased the availability of the color duplication option in routine office operations.

Dec. 1990

Establishes the Environment Administration Office (Integrates the functions of the Environmental Promotion Section and the Environment Administration Office to establish the Corporate Environment Office in April, 1998 and the name was changed to the Corporate Environment Division in April, 2001.)

Jan. 1991

Ricoh Asia Industry (Shenzhen) Ltd. (RAI) founded in China.

Mar. 1991

Dong Guan Tailien Optical Co., Ltd. opens in Shenzhen, China, to manufacture parts for compact cameras.

Apr. 1991

Ricoh California Research Center develops world's fastest color imaging compression algorithm.

Aug. 1991

Ricoh completed setting up the Ricoh's Olympic Fax Network to connect International Olympic Committee (IOC) to Olympic Family.

Feb. 1992

Ricoh General Principles on the Environment enacted to clarify Ricoh Group's position on environmental preservation.

May. 1992

Ricoh Industrie France S.A. established as a thermal paper plant

Jun. 1992

Construction of OPC system completed at Ricoh Numazu Plant, Japan.

Sep.1992

  • Ricoh Unitechno Co., Ltd., Japan, becomes first subsidiary of the Ricoh Group to obtain ISO 9002 certification, followed by the Atsugi Plant and the Gotemba Plant.
  • Ricoh officially enters into the CD business.

Apr. 1993

Ricoh UK Products Ltd. (RPL) becomes first recipient of Queen's Award for Environmental Achievement.

Oct. 1993

  • Ricoh signs a contract with IOC as Olympic Fax Network supplier.
  • Shanghai Ricoh Facsimile Co., Ltd. founded in China.
  • RPG Ricoh Ltd. founded in Bombay, India (renamed Ricoh India Limited in 1998).

May. 1994

Ricoh UK Products Ltd. (RPL) receives Highly Recommended prize from European Better Environment Awards for industry for its chlorofluocarbon-free recycling system.

Oct. 1994

Ricoh starts nationwide development of remote diagnostic service for copiers in Japan.

Mar. 1995

Ricoh wins top award from Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry for environmental activities, product assessment and recyclable design.

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Mar. 1995
Corporate Milestones

Receives a commendation from the Minister of International Trade and Industry for environmental activities

Photocopier designed for easier disassembly and component sorting
Photocopier designed for easier disassembly and component sorting
Spirio 2700, recyclable design model that has adopted a number of measures to improve efficiency in the recycling process, such as a reduced number of screws, unified plastic materials, and compatible decal labels developed to eliminate the need for removal
Spirio 2700, recyclable design model that has adopted a number of measures to improve efficiency in the recycling process, such as a reduced number of screws, unified plastic materials, and compatible decal labels developed to eliminate the need for removal
Recycling centers were built in the Kanto and Kyushu regions for disassembling and sorting components of collected used copiers as a part of efforts for energy reduction and recycling
Recycling centers were built in the Kanto and Kyushu regions for disassembling and sorting components of collected used copiers as a part of efforts for energy reduction and recycling

In the early 1990s, Ricoh began to promote sustainable environmental management on a full scale, implementing a variety of activities. One of the key initiatives was the introduction of a recyclable product design. For copy machines, around 20% of the weight of an entire unit is composed of plastic parts, which previously did not undergo disassembly and sorting for reuse since used units were wholly destroyed and disposed of. In 1993, in order to reduce this waste by improving the parts recycling rate, we formulated a recyclable design policy and product assessment system. Our first recyclable design copier was released in 1994. These efforts won public recognition, including the highest prize from the Minister of International Trade and Industry for environmental activities for product assessment and recyclable design in the recycling project award hosted by the Clean Japan Center in 1995. The recyclable design initiative took root in Ricoh as a continual driver of its sustainable

Mar. 1995

Ricoh Corporation acquires Savin Corporation.

May. 1995

Launches the Ricoh DC-1, Ricoh’s first digital camera

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May. 1995
Product & Technology Milestones

Launches the Ricoh DC-1, Ricoh’s first digital camera

Ricoh DC-1 (1995)
Ricoh DC-1 (1995)
PC Card adopted for recording media
PC Card adopted for recording media
Compact and lightweight body achieved through functional integration
Compact and lightweight body achieved through functional integration

Ricoh DC-1, which employed Ricoh’s proprietary image processing technology that had been developed primarily for office automation systems to achieve integrated processing of image and non-image data, pioneered a new front in the digital camera market. This pioneering model featured a handy pocket-size body that housed a set of then leading-edge functions (that have now become standard) such as zoom, data communication, and video recording with sound. Also, to offer the option of data transfer to PCs, necessary applications and image recording media were developed to specifically serve the purpose of this model.

May. 1995

The “RICOH R1” awarded Camera Grand Prix '95 Special Prize in Japan.

Sep. 1995

Ricoh acquires Gestetner Holdings PLC of United Kingdom (renamed NRG Group PLC in 2001).

Dec. 1995

Gotemba Plant, Japan, obtains ISO/DIS 14001 certification, international standard for environmental management.

Apr. 1996

Hiroshi Hamada appointed chairman and Masamitsu Sakurai president.

Jun. 1996

Environmental Protection Agency of United States awards Ricoh Corporation with ENERGY STAR Award (for five consecutive years until 2000).

Jul. 1996

Ricoh inaugurates Aficio as unified global brand for Ricoh products.

Aug. 1996

Launches the imagio MF200, low-priced, space-saving digital copier

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Aug. 1996
Product & Technology Milestones

Launches the imagio MF200, low-priced, space-saving digital copier

imagio MF200, a global digital copier success story (1996)
imagio MF200, a global digital copier success story (1996)

The imagio MF200 realized the turning point in the history of copy machines by sparking the dramatic transition from analog to digital models. It featured digital-enabled high-definition quality, memory for storing data to be copied, a compact body (for an A3-paper support model) with the world’s smallest width at that time as well as lower unit prices achieved through rigorous cost cutting efforts. Because of all these outstanding features, the imagio MF200 was particularly popular with smaller corporate users, enjoying enormous sales and becoming a record-breaking hit. Following the rollout of this machine, the digital segment increased to exceed the analog segment in terms of shipment volume in the Japanese market. In the global copier sector, this event provided momentum supporting the trend toward the shift to digital technologies on a large scale.

Nov. 1996

Ricoh launches production of CD-RW discs.

Dec. 1996

Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. established in Singapore.

Feb. 1997

Ricoh establishes Ricoh Kanto Recycling Center to disassemble and separate recycled PPCs for energy reduction and recycling.

Mar. 1997

Ricoh Silicon Valley, Inc. founded in California (renamed Ricoh Innovations, Inc. in 2000).

Oct. 1997

  • Mitsui-Ricoh CIS Ltd.,a joint venture company with Mitsui & Co.,Ltd., formed in Russia.
  • Ricoh Latin America, Inc. established in the United States to manage sales in Central and South America.

Feb. 1998

“RIFAX BL110 Shataro2” facsimile machine awarded Japan Machinery Federation President's Award at 18th Energy Saving Excellent Awards.

Aug. 1998

Ricoh Asia Indutry (Shenzhen) becomes first Japanese-owned facsimile machine manufacturer to reach 1,000,000 unit production mark.

Dec. 1998

Ricoh awarded first place in second annual Environmental Management Survey by Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Japan's top business daily (receives for three consecutive years until 2000).

Jan. 1999

Ricoh Technosystems Co., Ltd. formed by merge Ricoh Technonet Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Osaka) and Ricoh Information Systems Co., Ltd.

May. 1999

Ricoh awarded Minister of International Trade and Industry Prize in eighth annual Global Environment Awards from Japan Industrial Journal.

Dec. 1999

Ricoh receives Japan Quality Award.

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Dec. 1999
Corporate Milestones

Ricoh receives Japan Quality Award

Masamitsu Sakurai, Ricoh’s president  (right), 
accepting the Japan Quality Award  (1999)
Masamitsu Sakurai, Ricoh’s president (right), accepting the Japan Quality Award (1999)
JQA trophy and award plaque
JQA trophy and award plaque

The Ricoh Group is committed to building a management system that allows business to create the value expected by customers in cooperation with them while maintaining a competitive edge over the long term. As one of the relevant approaches taken, the Group started to work on developing a customer satisfaction-oriented management system, and in December 1999, we received the Japan Quality Award in recognition of these efforts. Gaining momentum from this commendation and acknowledgement, we began to globally expand the management quality reform initiatives for improving customer satisfaction while maintaining competitiveness. At each Group company both in and outside Japan, the responsible division carries out evaluations of management quality and implements necessary improvements.