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Tag: Canon

  • Canon: Nigeria still largely untapped market

    Canon: Nigeria still largely untapped market

    For tech entrepreneurs, Nigeria remains destination of choice for equipment vendors because of her vibrant youthful population and huge market. The Regional Sales Director at Canon Middle East, Somesh Adukia, says in spite of the presence of so many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the country, it is market still waiting to be explored. He spoke with LUCAS AJANAKU on the sideline of the launch of the firm’s range of printers in Lagos.

    Why is Canon deepening its presence in Nigeria?

    Nigeria is one of the largest African markets in terms of potential and GDP, and we feel it is an untapped territory in terms of its potential and growth. It is also an important market due to largest population allowing it to be a key market for Canon.

    But the country continues to grapple with several challenges, including infrastructure deficit. What is the attraction?

    Yes, every country has its challenges. And in spite of all these challenges you spoke about, Nigeria is an important hub in industrial and production printing segment, and has a thriving film industry – all of which Canon can support through our value added services. Our goal is to extend our services to the largest number of customers possible by being closer to them.

    Why has Canon decided to introduce these printers to the Nigerian market?

    The demand for cost effective office printers has significantly increased in Nigeria for offices where high yield printing is the norm. There has also been a boom in demand for home users who enjoy printing all their best photographs. With the Canon Pixma Series, our customers in Nigeria get to enjoy, efficient cost effective printing.

    What are the features of the Pixma G series printer, and how do they work?

    The G1400 is a single function printer, while the PIXMA G2400 and PIXMA G3400 & G4400 are all-in-one printers offering print, scan and copy functionalities. We are in an age where internet connectivity drives our day-to-day personal and professional lives.  The G series range are Wi-Fi enabled and offer printing without wires from a PC as well as smartphones or tablets, with full compatibility with Canon’s new print app. This Cloud printing let you send documents and photos to print from anywhere in the world, and remotely print from popular services including Instagram, Google Drive, Facebook, Dropbox and Flickr. For truly creative photo printing, the G series range are also compatible with Canon’s Easy-PhotoPrint+ and are accessible from tablets or a web browser, the software accesses your photos and lets you edit them before printing creative projects such as greeting cards or calendars.

    In the case of a malfunction or issue, what service is available to your customers in Nigeria?

    Earlier this year Canon Central and North Africa partnered with three service centers in Nigeria namely Ensure Services, Kontakt and Technology Distribution (TD). These service stations offer total after-sales product repair services in eight locations across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The service centres will also support all B2C products including DSC, DSLR, professional video, OPP inkjet- and laser-printers, projectors and calculators.

     Nigerians tend to print high volume documents in fast succession. What is the printing speed and capacity of the Pixma G series printers?

    The printers have been designed to cater for customer’s needs, this is why each printer incorporates a durable FINE print head system for high quality prints at fast speeds, as well as technology that stops air penetrating the ink feeding tubes, ensuring reliability and stability when printing in high volumes. For prints with high levels of detail the 2pl, 4800x1200dpi print engine offers smooth gradations and fine detail, perfect for intricate documents or high-quality photographs. Each model in the range also prints borderless 4 x 6” photos in as little as 60 seconds.

    What innovation differentiates them from their competitors?

    The new printers all come with Canon’s My Image Garden software, which includes a range of applications including Creative Park. An exclusive software created by Canon that helps you print a variety personalised creations including cards, crafts and even high-detail paper arts, ranging from amateur to artisan professional crafters. Also the new compact refillable ink tank models combine an aesthetic design and ease of use. The four high-yield, front facing ink tanks are immediately visible, making it simple and fast to check ink levels, while the uniquely designed ink bottles make topping up a quick and mess-free task.

    The printers will be available at all Canon authorised dealers including, prominent e-commerce sites such as Jumia, Konga and Yudala.

  • Canon Introduces Four New Smart Printers (PIXMA-series) to Nigeria

    Canon Introduces Four New Smart Printers (PIXMA-series) to Nigeria

    In a bid to offer volume printing and significantly reduce ink expenditure, leaders in imaging and business solutions Canon Central and North Africa have unveiled four printers – the PIXMA G1400, PIXMA G2400, PIXMA G3400, and the new PIXMA G4400 for the Nigerian market.

    The printers are poised to expand the brand’s G-series printer range and help customers manage printing cost effectively.

    All the printers feature brand new genuine Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS) and utilise refillable ink tanks capable of printing up to 7,000 colour and 6,000 black pages from a single set of ink bottles.

    The PIXMA G1400 is a single function printer, while the PIXMA G2400 and PIXMA G3400 are all-in-one printers offering print, scan, and copy functionalities. The G4400 is a Wi-Fi enabled 4-in-1 multifunction printer with 20-sheet Automatic Document Feeder, allowing users to copy, fax and scan large documents quickly and with ease.

    Speaking about the new printers, Somesh Adukia, Sales & Marketing Director B2C, Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) said “The demand for cost-effective all-in-one office inkjet printers has significantly increased in Nigeria for offices where high yield printing is the norm or home users who enjoy printing all their best photographs.

    These printers offer genuine value and low-cost printing, with an unrivaled page number output for ultimate productivity. We are happy to cater to this growing segment and take forward Canon’s vision of providing cutting-edge technology to business and home-office users,”

    Designed for quality, detail, and ease

    Each printer incorporates a durable FINE print head system for high-quality prints at fast speeds, as well as technology that stops air penetrating the ink feeding tubes, ensuring reliability and stability when printing in high volumes. For prints with high levels of detail the 2pl, 4800x1200dpi print engine offers smooth gradations and fine detail, perfect for intricate documents or high-quality photographs. Each model in the range also prints borderless 4 x 6” photos in as little as 60 seconds.

    Canon PIXMA G3400

    The new compact refillable ink tank models combine an aesthetic design and ease of use. The four high-yield, front-facing ink tanks are immediately visible, making it simple and fast to check ink levels, while the uniquely designed ink bottles make topping up a quick and mess-free task.

    Connected creativity

    For connected printing, the PIXMA G3400 is Wi-Fi enabled and offers to print without wires from a PC as well as smartphones or tablets, with full compatibility with Canon’s new PRINT app. Cloud printing lets you send documents and photos to print from anywhere in the world, and remotely print from popular services including Instagram™, Google Drive™, Facebook™, Dropbox™ and Flickr ™.

    For truly creative photo printing the PIXMA G3400 is also compatible with Canon’s Easy-PhotoPrint+. Accessible from tablets or a web browser, the software accesses your photos and lets you edit them before printing creative projects such as greeting cards or calendars.

    The new printers all come with Canon’s My Image Garden software, which includes a range of applications including Creative Park, helping you print a variety personalised creations including cards, crafts, and even high-detail paper arts.

    About Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA)

    Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2015 is a strategic step that aims to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus.

    CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.

    Canon has been represented in the Africa continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region.

    CCNA will ensure the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace.

    With over 100 employees, it will manage sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.

  • Canon to train 60 young Nigerians at Abuja Film Festival

    Canon to train 60 young Nigerians at Abuja Film Festival

    Renowned camera maker, Canon, has partnered with the 14th Abuja International Film Festival to train young Nigerians in the basics of Canon DSLR filmmaking techniques and Photography.

    The training workshop, in conjunction with Canon Central and North Africa office will see 60 shortlisted Nigerians trained from October 5 to October 10, 2017 in the fundamental rudiments of cinematography and Photography.

    Katie Simmonds, Strategic Operations Professional of Canon, said the initiative comes under Project Maraisha Initiative which is Canon’s expansion into Africa.

    “The objective is to train groups of young Africans in the skills required for them to find sustainable employment or indeed to establish their own business,” said Simmonds.

    The founder of the Abuja International Film Festival, Fidelis Duker, reiterated the vision of the Abuja International Film festival which is to build capacity within the creative sector and also act as a catalyst and platform for economic empowerment of those working in the creative sector.

    In his words  “there is no way majority of this applicants will ever remain the same after completing this training workshop as we are simply teaching them how to fish rather than giving them fish to eat. They will ultimately garner skills and also become self-sustaining creative entrepreneurs.”

    Some movies slated for the festival include Code: The IF Project, The Listeners, Class Divide, Fastball, and High School 911 while a unique feature of this year’s festival will be the Fashion Photography by the trainees.

    On completion of the Cinematography training, five short films will be made and screened during the festival while the photographs of those in the Photography class will be exhibited during the Festival.

    Also returning for the second year running is the American Film Showcase which holds at the 14th Abuja International Film Festival from Oct 9-13, 2017 and is open to the public. The U.S. Embassy in Abuja will also showcase contemporary American documentaries, offering a view of American society and culture as seen by independent filmmakers. The screenings will also feature a Masterclass with the American filmmakers.

  • Canon to create jobs, promote skills acquisition

    A leader in imaging and business solutions, Canon, has said it will complement Federal Government’s efforts at creating jobs for the youths and also promote technical skills acquisition in the country to grow the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

    The Sales and Marketing Director, B2C, Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA), Somesh Adukia, who spoke in Lagos at the unveiling of the partnership with local service centres, said through the firm’s “closer to customer,” strategy, it will partner local service centres that will be manned by trained local youngsters.

    He said doing this will promote job creation as well as transfer of skill to locals, a development he said will translate to win-win for every stakeholder in the information communication technology (ICT) ecosystem.

    He said pursuant to this mission and vision, the firm has partnered with three local service centres across three major cities in Nigeria to strengthen its in-country presence and optimise its customer satisfaction. The partnership will leverage the local strength and expertise of Ensure Services, Kontakt and Technology Distribution (TD) to help create a unique business-to-consumer experience for customers.

    He said the Canon-authorised service centre initiative is designed to support the imaging community in Nigeria, while creating access to repair and offer support for industry professionals, businesses and photography enthusiasts.

    Through the three service partners, Canon will offer total after-sales product repair services in eight locations across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The service centres will support all B2C products including DSC, DSLR, professional video, OPP inkjet- and Laser-printers, projectors and calculators under the Canon Central and North Africa warranty programme.

    He said the warranty programme is a specialised – first of a kind service, under CCNA, a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe.  Within the programme, Canon will offer customers an exclusive three-year manufacturer warranty for Canon i-SENSYS Laser printers.

    Adukia said: “The partnership is an important pillar in the brand’s ‘closer to the customer’ strategy which has been one of Canon’s key components for growth in Africa.

    “This is a really exciting time to be part of the imaging industry and we’re proud to be raising the bar throughout the market. This partnership clearly amplifies our commitment to bringing our customers closer to our industry-leading products while helping them to maintain the quality that encourages them to have fun with imaging through our ‘Big Partnership, Trusted Services’ motto.

    “Our setting up of a dedicated entity in Nigeria last year and the introduction of three specialised service providers is our commitment to providing the best possible services to our customers in Nigeria. We are also working towards establishing more collection points for our customers, in case they are located far away from the service locations.”

    He said to communicate the launch of the service centres, Canon will also be launching a series of roadshows – consumer engagement activities and town storms across key locations.

    He said Ensure Services is a company present in 26 countries with service delivery as their core business. Ensure Services is present in three cities in Nigeria, and within Lagos they are present in two locations; Isolo and Ikeja. It has a Canon-certified and trained team of engineers providing the best class service for customers. Canon has invested state of the art repair and calibration tools to provide best quality repair in Nigeria. Ensure also holds inventory of major spare parts for prompt repair and delivery of the products. Ensure will be responsible for providing support to the Photo video and OPP printer range.

    Kontakt is a renowned name in the sales and service of professional video cameras and equipment. Canon has invested with Kontakt in specialised tools to provide high-quality product repair. This is the only facility available out of the European region to cater to customers in the professional video, media, broadcast and film industry; namely Nollywood.

  • AFRIFF TRAINING GETS A BOOST WITH CANON …as festival begins this weekend

    SUPPORTING Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF)’s developmental initiative for young African filmmakers, Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) is partnering the former for this year’s edition of the festival which begins tomorrow.

    As part of the week-long event whose activities are spread across the Filmhouse-IMAX, Genesis Cinema and Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island and AfriNolly Space, Oregun, Lagos, CCNA is offering further support skills and capacity development among creative and talented youth and professionals in Nigeria on film and photography.

    “We aim to familiarise Nigerian filmmakers and photographers, and the attendees to the festival with cutting-edge professional technology that is used internationally,” said Katie Simmonds, Canon’s Strategic Operations Professional – Emerging Markets Africa/Sustainability Projects.

    She said Canon is always committed to launching new innovative programmes that help provide the knowledge and skills needed to promote creative talent and drive the growth of a vibrant local industry.

    “Our partnership with AFRIFF, Nigeria, underlines our focus on supporting the nation in building the next generation of talent who will drive the growth of the country’s television, film and photography sectors. It will empower youth, build their skills, and help facilitate rewarding careers in the industry.”

    So far, about 50 would-be trainees, made up of film students, practitioners and the media have registered for the cinematography class.

    Simmonds said the Canon sessions will provide the perfect opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to benefit from short courses and seminars in videography and filmmaking.

    The collaboration marks an extension of Canon’s sustainability for its Miraisha programme.

    Simmonds explains that, “Miraisha is a combination of the Japanese word ‘Mirai’, which means Future and the Swahili word ‘Maisha’, which means Livelihood. The programme’s goal is to provide people with the skills to develop livelihoods in professional photography and filmmaking, or print by utilising Canon’s core expertise in imaging and its network of professionals.”

    The initiatives range from fashion and street photography classes to filmmaking workshops and print training for SMEs.

    During this collaboration, Canon will be conducting a filmmaking workshop and a filmmaking seminar led by an expert in the field and look forward to rolling out more activities in near future.

    Simmonds disclosed that the association has been inspired by ‘Kyosei’, Canon’s corporate philosophy which embodies the ideal of living and working together for the common good.

    She said: “AFRIFF is a noted film festival that presents a complete immersion into the world of film making with participation from local and international industry bodies, which over the years has fostered film and television education. Canon is proud to partner with such an organisation and would like to thank the management for their continued support as we move forward, we will continue to build on the positive relationships that we share and take it to the next level through our new solutions.”

    CCNA is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA within CME in 2015 is a strategic step that aims to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operate closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market. Canon has been represented in the Africa continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region.

  • ‘Canon ready to expand its frontiers across Nigeria, beyond’

    ‘Canon ready to expand its frontiers across Nigeria, beyond’

    Michelle Tuscano is Director, B2B, Central and North Africa at Canon. Tuscano led other team to Lagos recently where Canon set another significant milestone in its overall growth strategy for Nigeria and African continent. Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf met him

    Canon Nigeria has just berthed, what is your appraisal of the technology industry in Nigeria, do you think it has lived up to people’s expectation?

    I think Nigeria has a leadership growing Africa, not only because it’s the biggest country, not only because it has the biggest nominal GDP but also because of population, education and infrastructure are really showing us that yes it’s true oil is a very important industry. But Nigeria has shown its strength in the movie industry, and has a propensity to easily diversify her industries. So for sure if we want to see a good side of these oil price issues, I’m sure that Nigeria thanks to these will improve further industries.

    Do you think the programmes and policies of the present administration encourage business? 

    Well let me confess that I don’t know exactly how the local administration works because we are very new in the country. But what I can tell you is that we have found extraordinary support from a lot of people including public administration, police and customs, to setup this event and also to open our Canon Nigeria outlets. If I have to judge from my experience, with the level of service we got, I think am satisfied.

    What other programmes do you hope to bring on board after the opening of your Canon Nigeria operations?

    The programme is to hire people which will be employees of Canon Nigeria Limited, and these people which will be Nigerians, will act and generate the demand in the market as well as cover the market and their aim is to focus in Lagos and as soon as possible expand our territories in Abuja and other major cities. It’s not a quick-win plan, it’s a mid-term plan where we really want to create a solid business base for Canon in Nigeria.

    What are the projected short, medium and long term objectives of the Canon brand?

    The long term is to establish local operations with solid business base and expanding in the major cities of the country. The other is to increase the brand awareness and to ensure that the local companies from business to business perspective is the best in terms of service quality of our great technology.

    Do you subscribe to any particular management style, what management style works for you?

    If you mean in terms of management skills, we are searching for people with sales and marketing attitude, youths, of course, well-educated at least coming out from the university, business administration as it seems, young and with very high potential to get also local branch management position, and also enhance the brand presence and visibility in the market.

    As a manage people, how do you reprimand erring staff?

    We don’t command them, we involve them in a shared vision and strategy, and reward them based on their commitments and their results. We’re not commanding people, we are simply sharing the challenge with people and also getting the benefits out of the good results.

     

  • Canon unveils Nigeria arm

    Canon sets another significant milestone in its overall growth strategy with the launch of its Nigeria with the goal of enhancing its business in the African continent and strengthening its in-country presence and focus.

    The presence in Nigeria will also provide Canon the opportunity to gain in-depth reach across Africa, and to better understand the changing market dynamics and customer demand.

    Mr Koji Sato,  Sales Development & Marketing Director Emerging Markets said Canon was established In 1933 in Tokyo Japan.

    He stated that all Canon products are accepted worldwide, and that strong financial background has been inherent in the global market.

    Mr. Koji hinted that although the Canon brand has strong commitment to technology and quality, it see the big potential in Nigeria high-end market.

    Also speaking at the launch,  Mr. Somesh Adukia said there is a new and young company in Nigeria to raise their distribution networks service centre’s. “That alignment of distribution has been established with partners in Nigeria for the Canon brand.”

    He also noted that canon has modified effort to enhance high level software solution and printing solution.

    He further noted that Canon operates within a legal framework with members states, and that service aspect is very important in Nigerian market.

  • Canon Adesina for burial

    Canon Adesina for burial

    Reverend Canon Michael Adewole Adesina who died on June 17, 2014 is to be buried on September 12th.

    A statement by the family of Adewole Adesina of Ebo-Quarters Iwaro-Oka, Ondo State, said the body leaves the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on the 11th for a lying in state at his residence at No. 1 Ayelanwa Street, Ebo-Oka Akoka South West Local Government Area Ondo State.

    A wake keep is to be held for him at his residence, on the same day by 6p.m.

    There will be a funeral service on Friday the 12th by 9a.m at St. John’s Anglican Church Oka-Akoko, Ondo State.

    Internment follows at the church compound, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ebo-Quarters, Oka Akoko the same day.

    Thereafter, there will be entertainment of guests at LA II primary School field, Ebo-Oka.

    The late Canon served at Kwara State Anglican Diocese before he retired home to Ondo State and combined his ministerial duties with Community Services.

    He is survived by wife, Mary, children amongst whom are  Venerable  Ebenezer Adewole ,Venerable Nelson Adewole , brothers, sisters and grandchildren.