IDC Finds U.S. and Japan Grew In LFP Market in 2Q13

According to IDC, shipments of large-format printers (LFP) in the US and Japan in 2Q2013, have witnessed a 5.0% year-on-year (YoY) and 4.2% YoY increase. It is the first growth in this sector since the fourth quarter of 2010. Earlier, IDC reported shipments of these products in Western Europe experienced a slip of 14.6% YoY.

IDC claims the worldwide LFP market experienced a decline of 4.2%, compared with the same quarter last year, with about 73,000 units shipped that that were valued at $806 million. In 2Q2013 the shipment value decreased by 3.2% to $781 million.

IDC also points out that the Technical segment of the LFP market grew 2.4% YoY, with more than 43,700 units shipped, accounting for 60% of the total worldwide LFP market, 17.8% more compared with last year. Shipments in all Graphics applications declined 12% to less than 29,000 units.

HP maintained its leading position in the market, with 39.4% share, followed by Canon, Epson, Roland and Océ, with shares of 18.9%, 18.6%, 3.6% and 3.6% respectively, with all others accounting for the remaining 15.7%.  Compared with last year, HP’s share dropped two points, while Canon’s share increased 5 points.

“While the worldwide LFP market is mature,” said Phuong Hang, IDC’s Program Manager, Worldwide and LFP Tracker, “we do see pockets of growth opportunity that can be very lucrative in the eco-solvent based printers segment. We expect vendors to introduce new products soon to target these emerging markets.”