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Company History

Creating New Value

With rapid evolution in customer workstyles, Ricoh's range of value provided to customers has begun to expand significantly. Ricoh launched the Projection System business in 2010, the United Communication System business in 2011 and the Additive Manufacturing (AM) business in 2014, coupled with the introduction of various network appliances linked to cloud services.
In 2013, we released RICOH THETA, the world's first* digital camera capable of taking fully spherical pictures.
These are some of the many ways Ricoh creates new value for its customers.
* Consumer Product noted for ability to capture fully spherical images, rather than panoramic or semi-spherical images with a single shutter release (based on Ricoh Imaging research, as of October 2013)

Corporate Milestones
2010 - Present
Product & Technology Milestones
Apr. 2010

Ricoh Institute of Sustainability and Business Opens.

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Apr. 2010
Corporate Milestones

Ricoh Institute of Sustainability and Business

Ricoh Institute of Sustainability and Business
Ricoh Institute of Sustainability and Business

The Ricoh Institute of Sustainability and Business was established to perform two major roles: a think tank function to engage in socioeconomic research to identify future trends and their expected impact on corporate management; and an advisory function to provide the management team with advice and to raise potential issues based on the results of the conducted research. The two functions work respectively to accurately understand the transformation of social and economic structures behind the constantly changing business environment and conduct more effective analyses taking a closer view of the Group's specific management situations.

News Release Official Site

Jun. 2010

Sets up a 100% solar-powered electronic billboard in New York's Times Square.

Jul. 2010

Ricoh Japan Corporation is established by integrating seven domestic sales companies in Japan.

Nov. 2010

  • Ricoh receives “2010 Nikkei Award for Best Companies Supporting Child-Rearing.”
  • Ricoh completed a new building at the Ricoh Technology Center (Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan), the product development hub for the Ricoh Group.

Feb. 2011

Ricoh enters the Unified Communication System Business.

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Feb. 2011
Corporate Milestones

Launches the visual communication business

Ricoh Unified Communication System P3000
Ricoh Unified Communication System P3000
IPSiO PJ WX4130N/WX4130, ultra-short-throw projector, with the world's most compact*1 and light weight*1 body among contemporary comparable models<br><small>*1 Comparison made for a mirror reflection ultra-short-throw projector (as of November 7, 2011; surveyed by Ricoh)</small>
IPSiO PJ WX4130N/WX4130, ultra-short-throw projector, with the world's most compact*1 and light weight*1 body among contemporary comparable models<br><small>*1 Comparison made for a mirror reflection ultra-short-throw projector (as of November 7, 2011; surveyed by Ricoh)</small>
Ricoh Interactive Whiteboard D5000, a visual communication system including writable display screens and supporting telecommunications
Ricoh Interactive Whiteboard D5000, a visual communication system including writable display screens and supporting telecommunications

Ricoh entered the visual communication sector by offering systems for conveying various forms of information, including images and sounds, efficiently through a single tool. We have introduced a stream of innovative products to advance business communications. Among the major examples are: the Unified Communication System (USC), a videoconference/web conference system for Internet-based visual communication between internal/external corporate organizations, which is provided by creating cloud-based platforms optimized to enable real-time interactive and multi-point communications for each customer; an ultra-short-throw projector; and an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB).

News Release Official Site

Feb. 2011

Ricoh starts a global strategic alliance with Heidelberg in the graphic arts field.

Mar. 2011

The Ichimura Nature School Kanto enters its 10th year, teaching sound values to young people with its concept of “learning to live from Mother Nature.”

Apr. 2011

  • Ricoh establishes Ricoh Production Print Solutions, LLC in the USA.
  • Ricoh launches the Eco Solution Business and enters the LED Illumination market.
May. 2011

Ricoh installs a 100% solar-powered electronic billboard in London.

Jul. 2011

Ricoh installs a 100% solar-powered electronic billboard in Sydney.

Aug. 2011

Ricoh is recognized as one of the “World's Best Companies in Social and Environmental Performance” by oekom research AG,Germany.

Oct. 2011

Establishes PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.

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Oct. 2011
Corporate Milestones

Establishes PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.*

PENTAX digital cameras
PENTAX digital cameras
Advertisement to announce the establishment of the new company
Advertisement to announce the establishment of the new company

PENTAX Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd. was established to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Ricoh, effective on October 1 , 2011.Through this move, the firm rebuilt its offerings based on the PENTAX brand lineup of DSLRs coming with a broad lens selection, adding to it Ricoh's existing digital camera range, with a greater focus on consumer products and services. In August 2013, the company changed its name to the present Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd.

* present Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd.

Official Site

Oct. 2011

Receives the “Award of Director-General of the Industrial Science And Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry” for its dry washing technology that removes residue without solvents nor water.

Oct. 2011

Ricoh Vietnam Company Ltd. is established in Vietnam.

Nov. 2011

Introduces IPSiO PJ WX4130N/WX4130, the world's smallest*1 and lightest*1 ultra-short-throw projector. *1: Among ultra-short-throw projectors using mirror reflector (Result investigated by Ricoh, as of November 7, 2011)

Jan. 2012

Selected as the “world's best performing business for sustainability performance in the IT industry” by Oekom Research AG.

Feb. 2012

Establishes Ricoh Innovations Private Limited, an IT-focused R&D facility

Apr. 2012

Unveils New Global Brand Message: “imagine. change.”

Jun. 2012

  • Establishes Ricoh Thermal Media Asia Pacific Private Limited, a company responsible for thermal media and related business in Mumbai, India.
  • Completes the transaction of assets of ADA-Das SystemHaus GmbH, an IT services company.

Jul. 2012

  • Begins using steel made of 100% steel scrap for office equipment use with Tokyo Steel
  • Ricopy 101 certified as “Mechanical Engineering Heritage” by The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers

Oct. 2012

Ricoh provides Solutions and Services at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.

Nov. 2012

Endorses “The Carbon Price Communique” Joint declaration on Climate Change.

Dec. 2012

Ricoh is selected as one of the “2012 Top 100 Global Innovators List” by Thomson Reuters, one of the world's leading sources of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.

Jan. 2013

The Ichimura Nature School Kanto wins the “Philanthropy Grand Prize.”

Jan. 2013

Releases “Ricoh Interactive Whiteboard D5500” with easy-writing display, and the ability to share the same display between remote locations while allowing interactive communications.

Mar. 2013

Ricoh is selected as one of the “World's Most Ethical Companies” by Ethisphere Institute of the USA for the 5th year in a row.

Apr. 2013

  • Zenji Miura appointed President and CEO. Shiro Kondo becomes chairman.
  • Ricoh Technologies Co., Ltd., and Ricoh Industry Co., Ltd., established to reorganize domestic design/production functions.
  • Ricoh Korea Co., Ltd. established.

Sep. 2013

  • Ricoh provides solution services at the APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting, a first in Japan.
  • Named to “Dow Jones Sustainability Indices” for socially responsible investment.
Oct. 2013

Launches RICOH THETA, the world's first imaging device that captures fully spherical views.*
*As a mass-produced, consumer product capable of capturing the scene around, above and below the device in a fully spherical image (as of October 2013, based on Ricoh Imaging Company Ltd. research).

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Oct. 2013
Product & Technology Milestones

Launches RICOH THETA, the world's first imaging device that captures fully spherical views

RICOH THETA
RICOH THETA
Fully spherical image captured by RICOH THETA
Fully spherical image captured by RICOH THETA

RICOH THETA can capture an all-round view surrounding the photographer with a single shutter release and produce the result as a fully spherical image. This invention, the world's first of its kind*, was achieved by employing a micro twin-lens reflex optical system developed by Ricoh to enable the capture of an entire view of the surrounding space, including areas above and below the device. Our wish is that the product will stimulate a new passion in photography by producing unexpected, unique results that can be shared with people around the world.

* Consumer Product noted for ability to capture fully spherical images, rather than panoramic or semi-spherical images with a single shutter release (based on Ricoh Imaging research, as of October 2013)

Official Site

Jan. 2014

  • The share trading unit size was changed from 1,000 shares to 100 shares.
  • Included in the “Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World” by Corporate Knights, Inc. of Canada for the 10th year in a row.

Jan. 2014

RICOH MP C6003/C5503/C4503/C3503/C3003 Series, digital MFPs wins the Energy Conservation Center Chairman Award.

Feb. 2014

The Ichimura Nature School Kanto receives “Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize.”

Apr. 2014

Ricoh listed for the 11th consecutive year in the “FTSE4Good Index Series,” a globally recognized corporate social responsibility standard.

Jul. 2014

Reorganization of sales companies in Japan. Ricoh Technosystemes Co., Ltd., Ricoh Business Expert Co., Ltd. and part of Ricoh IT Solutions Co., Ltd. combined into Ricoh Japan Corporation.

Aug. 2014

RIFAX 600S selected as one of “Essential Historical Materials for Science and Technology” by the National Museum of Nature and Science in Japan.

Sep. 2014

Launches the additive manufacturing (AM) business

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Sep. 2014
Corporate Milestones

Launches the additive manufacturing (AM) business

3D printed models
3D printed models
RICOH Rapid Fab (at Atsugi Plant)
RICOH Rapid Fab (at Atsugi Plant)
RICOH AM 5500P, Ricoh's first 3D printer
RICOH AM 5500P, Ricoh's first 3D printer

Ricoh's additive manufacturing (AM) business, which the Company launched, is centered on 3D printers. The initial project in this business was to open RICOH Rapid Fab, a base for offering manufacturing innovation solutions. It is a frontline base for the 3D printers business, tasked with procurement and marketing, output service, and providing consultation and proposals using insights drawn from internal actual usage. We plan to expand the business from Japan to global locations.

News Release

Sep. 2014

  • 100% Eco-Powered Billboard at Ginza 4-chome Crossing in Tokyo turned on.
  • Endorsed an initiative to support the World Bank Carbon Pricing* and the Trillion Tonne Communiqué. *Carbon pricing: A scheme that requires entities to bear costs according to the level of their carbon dioxide emissions. The scheme includes a carbon tax, emission trading system, etc.
  • Listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Indices for socially responsible investment for the second year in row.

Oct. 2014

  • Started forest conservation project at Ricoh Elemex Corporation in Ena City.
  • Awarded “Highest Gold Rating” in EcoVadis Supplier Survey.
  • Chosen to provide integrated solutions at ICEF* *ICEF: Innovation for Cool Earth Forum.
  • Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd won the “Singapore Sustainability Award in Green Technology” from the Singapore Business Federation for two years in a row.
  • Listed in the “Dow Jones Sustainability World Indices” for socially responsible investment for the second year in row.
  • Recognized as an “outstanding company in the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI)” for high-quality climate change data.
Nov. 2014

  • Named to “2014 Top 100 Global Innovators List” by Thomson Reuters.
  • Ricoh India Limited chosen to supply Rural ICT solution by the Department of Posts which will enable them to modernize approximately 129,000 Post Offices through automation.
Dec. 2014

  • Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd received “Sustainable Business Award Singapore 2014” for its waste management and material productivity.
  • Received “Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan Commendation” on prevention of global warming.
  • Listed in “FTSE4Good Index Series” for the 11th consecutive year.
  • Acquired PTI Marketing Technologies, helping customers expand into marketing services.
Jan. 2015

  • Received “Sustainability rating” from oekom research AG, Germany.
  • Awarded “Silver Class Recognition” in Sustainability Ratings from RobecoSAM, a Swiss company and a world leader in socially responsible investment (SRI) assessments.
Jan. 2015

RICOH MP C2503/C1803 series awarded “Energy Conservation Center Chairman's Prize” for energy-saving features.

Feb. 2015

  • Received “Excellence Award for Business and Biodiversity” from WWF Japan.
  • Established Ricoh Middle East FTZ in Dubai.
Mar. 2015

Released RICOH-SV-M-S1, an industrial stereo camera which can take accurate and speedy 3D measurements. (Ricoh Industrial Solutions, Co., Ltd.)

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Mar. 2015
Product & Technology Milestones

Releases RICOH-SV-M-S1, an industrial-use stereo camera

RICOH SV-M-S1
RICOH SV-M-S1
Ricoh's FA camera lineup
Ricoh's FA camera lineup

RICOH SV-M-S1, rolled out by Ricoh Industrial Solutions Inc., is an industrial-use stereo camera system for high-speed, high-accuracy 3D measurement. It is intended for use in supporting the automated control of a system through 3D measurement of related objects, or figuratively, playing the role of the “eye” of the system. The product boasts a high precision range of ± 0.1% (actual measurement value), which was achieved by applying Ricoh's refined calibration technology. And its high frame rate of 30 fps designed for 3D measurements has been made possible by incorporating functions related to a range of processes from photographic image processing to parallax computation into the main structure from which it works, thereby delivering faster data processing. SV-M-S1 is offered from Ricoh's broad lineup of camera systems for factory automation (FA).

Official Site

Mar. 2015

Returned almost 90,000 photos lost and damaged in the 2011 tsunami to their owners through its “Save the Memory Project”.

Apr. 2015

Ricoh's VCSEL receives the Science and Technology Award

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Apr. 2015
Product & Technology Milestones

Ricoh's VCSEL receives the Science and Technology Award

Ricoh's 40-channel VCSEL: 40 light sources aligned on a less than 1mm2 area in each unit
Ricoh's 40-channel VCSEL: 40 light sources aligned on a less than 1mm2 area in each unit
Ricoh's VCSEL technology delivers 1,200 x 4,800 dots per inch
Ricoh's VCSEL technology delivers 1,200 x 4,800 dots per inch
Recipients of the Science and Technology Award
Recipients of the Science and Technology Award

Ricoh's 40-channel vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) technology was selected for the fiscal 2015 commendation by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and two development leaders-Shunichi Sato, chief engineer at Ricoh Future Technology Laboratory (FTL), and Naoto Jikutani, researcher at the FTL's Tohoku branch-receiving the Science and Technology Award from the Ministry. The acknowledgement was offered for technological achievements that have enabled print-on-demand (POD) printing systems to effectively respond to the recently growing demand related to high-mix, low-volume, quick delivery orders. Being able to minimize wasteful output, the product is also beneficial for environmental conservation.

Apr. 2015

Launched “RICOH Advanced Direct Manufacturing Services” responsible for producing parts and products using 3D printers.

May. 2015

Created a novel flexible material “Energy-Generating Rubber” that converts pressure and vibration into electric energy with high efficiency.

Jun. 2015

Establishes P.T. Ricoh Thermal Media East Asia Pacific, a new company for processing and marketing thermal transfer ribbons in Indonesia.

Jul. 2015

  • Acquires distributors in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
  • Started recycled MFP business in China.

Aug. 2015

Opened RICOH Future House, a commercial facility which offers solutions and services for supporting development and growth of local communities.

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Aug. 2015
Corporate Milestones

Opened RICOH Future House, a commercial facility which offers solutions and services for supporting development and growth of local communities.

RICOH Future House
RICOH Future House
Science classroom
Science classroom

RICOH Future House is a new-concept commercial facility project planned with the hope of creating opportunities in which local people can gather, learn, and work for building a better future. The House, employing the structure of a fully glazed front façade to produce a sense of openness, consists of four floors, each designed to serve different types of learning and working purposes catering to a wide range of age groups. Specifically, the facility houses science and technology labs for children, event and seminar areas, and co-working spaces in addition to a restaurant and café lounge, and a printing service shop.

Sep. 2015

  • Announces the start of a forest ecosystem conservation project in Mexico.
  • Listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for third year in a row.

Oct. 2015

  • Awarded the “Encouraging Award of Resouce Recycle Technology and System Commendation” for 14 MFPs, including RICOH MP C8002/C6502, by Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry.
  • Launches its first 3D Printer, the RICOH AM S5500P, under the RICOH brand.

Nov. 2015

  • Announced as an official partner of the United Nation's COP21 climate conference.
  • Recognized by CDP* as a “Leading Company in Climate Change Disclosure” for the second consecutive year.
    *Carbon Disclosure Project, the international NPO that drives sustainable economies

Jan. 2016

  • Acquired AnaJet, a leader in direct to garment printers in the US
  • Selected for Silver Class Recognition by RobecoSAM in their Sustainability Ratings for the 2nd Year in a row

Jan. 2016

Received the Nano Tech Grand Prize at the 2016 Nano Tech Awards

Feb. 2016

“RIFAX 600S” was honored by The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan as one of the “One Step on Electro-Technology” products in 2016

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Feb. 2016
Product & Technology Milestones

RIFAX 600S honored with the “One Step on Electro-Technology” prize

RIFAX 600S
RIFAX 600S
RIFAX 600S coming off the line at the Atsugi Plant
RIFAX 600S coming off the line at the Atsugi Plant

The RIFAX 600S was awarded the “One Step on Electro-Technology” prize by The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. The reason for the award was that the RIFAX 600S could transmit an A4 standard page in one minute, six times faster than the analog facsimile. It greatly contributed to facsimile popularization. This digital technology set an international standard and led to the development of a multifunctional printer that combined copying, printing, scanning and facsimile functions in one unit. Consequently, it promoted the progress of Office Automation equipment and innovated effective office work.

Official Site

Mar. 2016

Entered the healthcare solutions field

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Mar. 2016
Corporate Milestones

The Ricoh Group draws on its technological prowess to enter the healthcare field

Magnetoencephalograph showing the neural activity of the brain
Magnetoencephalograph showing the neural activity of the brain
Spinal cord neural activity
Spinal cord neural activity

Population aging in advanced nations, particularly in Japan, has created major social issues. These include surging healthcare costs and widening gaps in regional medical standards. The Ricoh Group, drawing on its technological prowess, has entered the healthcare field to help overcome these challenges. We acquired the magnetoencephalography* business of Yokogawa Electric Corporation in April 2016.
* Magnetoencephalography maps the neural activity of the brain

Here, our three key focuses are on medical imaging, healthcare information technology, and biomedical domains. We will combine the medical equipment development and business knowhow we secured through that acquisition with the imaging technology, systems design capabilities, and production expertise of our core operations to help prevent, swiftly identify and treat illnesses, and in doing so help resolve social issues.

Official Site

Mar. 2016

Named as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute for the 7th time

Apr. 2016

RICOH Eco Business Development Center opened

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Apr. 2016
Corporate Milestones

Ricoh Eco Business Development Center Opens

RICOH Eco Business Development Center
RICOH Eco Business Development Center
MFP resource recycling exhibit
MFP resource recycling exhibit

The “Ricoh Eco Business Development Center” was founded as a project to commemorate the company's 80th anniversary. This center has three major functions: the “Reuse & Recycling Center”, a “center for verification of eco-business technologies”; and a “source to distribute information regarding eco-business activities”.

The center for verification of eco-business technologies harnesses open innovation between industry, academia, and government in collaboration with partners to accelerate the creation of eco businesses. Since the 1990s, Ricoh has focused its efforts on “environmental management” to simultaneously reduce environmental impact and create additional sources of revenue & profit. The company will further advance the scope of this “environmental management” and aims to create eco-businesses in a broader range of fields, not limited to the domains it has focused on in the past. This will further evolve with customers, who will contribute to achieving a more sustainable society.

News Release 公式サイト

Sep. 2016

Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. awarded by the Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources, Singapore's highest accolade, The President's Award for the Environment 2016

Oct. 2016

  • RICOH Eco Business Development Center's Reuse and Recycling activities awarded the Japanese Prime Minister's Award
  • Established Smart Com Laboratories, Ltd. consisting of 6 companies focused on introducing new ways to connect citizens and towns

Apr. 2017
  • Yoshinori Yamashita appointed President and CEO
  • Ricoh sets materiality and environmental goals aimed to resolve social issues in accordance with the UN SDGs and the Paris Agreement
  • Ricoh commits to 100% renewable energy reliance by 2050 and has become the first Japanese company to join RE100
Oct. 2017

Ricoh is recognized for leadership on climate action and is included on the Climate A List 2017 by CDP*
*Carbon Disclosure Project, the international NPO that drives sustainable economies

Nov. 2017
  • Receives “Minister of the Environment Government of Japan Commendation” on prevention of global warming
  • Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. wins the ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Award (Product & Service Innovation)
Jan. 2018

Moves Ricoh's headquarters from Ginza in downtown Tokyo, to Nakamagome, on the outskirts of Tokyo

Apr. 2018

Ricoh receives the award as the “Best Company Supporting Environment Caring People” from the Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan for enhancing the development of its human resources to handle environmental issues

Oct. 2018

Signs Japan Climate Action Summit declaration

Jan. 2019

  • Launches the RICOH IM C series of advanced MFPs, which draw on the state-of-art cloud services and AI
  • Develops the world's first inkjet technique-based technology to manufacture lithium-ion secondary batteries in desired shapes

Feb. 2019

Receives the Nano Tech Grand Prize for the world's first inkjet technique-based technology to manufacture lithium-ion secondary batteries in desired shapes at the Nano Tech 2019, international nanotechnology Exhibition & Conference

Apr. 2019

Launches RICOH Handy Printer which can print by being swiped over a wide range of media

Aug. 2019

Ricoh commits to tackling inequality by joining the Business for Inclusive Growth coalition

Aug. 2019

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Ricoh jointly develop a spherical camera based on the RICOH THETA that can be used in outer space (outside the spacecraft) to capture 360-degree spherical images in a single shot

Jan. 2020

Launches the RICOH EH DSSC series, the world's first solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) modules that generate renewable energy allowing electronics to maintain a charge.

Apr. 2023