Samsung’s New Printer Vision Commits to Meet the Needs of Business Users

March 24, 2004 - Samsung, the world's second largest manufacturer of laser printer engine hardware technology, has its new vision set on leading the printer industry with printer business solutions for the color laser printer category. Backed by its ownership of the printer research and development (R&D), design and manufacturing processes, Samsung is working to accomplish its goal by delivering superior quality, superior productivity and superior solutions to business users. Samsung introduced its first color laser printer solution in 2003 with the CLP-500 and is adding new solutions-focused models - the CLP-550/550N - via a separate announcement today. Samsung has already established world leadership in other committed technologies such as: LCD panel, CDMA handset and DRAM manufacturing.

Samsung offers a complete line of award-winning laser printers (color and monochrome) and multifunction products that are ideal for meeting a range of imaging needs in small to large businesses. Since entering the U.S. branded printer business in 1999, the company has experienced tremendous growth and earned a reputation for delivering extremely reliable solutions at an affordable price.

"Samsung recognizes that color laser printing solutions are the next revolution to the enhancement of business printing," said T.H. Kim, President, Samsung's Information Technology Division (ITD).

"Samsung's award-winning ability to control the core hardware & software development, time to market and manufacturing process, provides the company with a distinct flexibility advantage to create solutions in the business printing environment," stated Jay Allan Shears, Director of Office Automation, Samsung's ITD. "Samsung can bring creative new technology solutions to market faster, while providing an excellent and compelling cost of ownership, to meet the unique needs of business user applications. It is these capabilities - core technology, time to market and flexibility - that will help differentiate Samsung from competitors that are constrained by technology they do not own."

Differentiated Manufacturing, Research and Development
Samsung's ownership of the entire printer manufacturing, research, design and development process, gives the company a significant competitive and differentiated advantage over other companies who are dependent upon vendors for various core hardware and software components. Each year, Samsung dedicates 300 color scientists to the R&D of new color printing technologies. The company is also preparing to open a new U.S. Printing R&D Technology facility in Irvine, California. This facility will be dedicated to the rapid development of new first to market solutions to meet the needs of the U.S. business user.

New Business Customer Solutions Group
As part of Samsung's U.S. color printer business solutions focus, the Samsung Office Automation division has formed a new Printer Business Customer Solutions group. Already in operation, this flexible new group will use its resources to provide differentiated printing technology solutions that might not normally be attainable from other providers that do not control their technology.

According to Shears, "The Samsung solution is the product. The flexibility offered by this new Samsung Printer Business Customer Solutions group will become our testimony of this new solutions focused product. The group will transform technology into user friendly solutions for business users."

Superior Service and Support
Samsung also offers color laser printer customers the industry's first and only free one year on-site service program in the sub-$700 color laser printer category, while many competitors charge upwards of $299 for the service. Under the warranty, color laser printer customers receive on-site service within 48 hours from when they place a service request. There is also a premium on-site service program that allows customers to choose either four-hour or next day on-site service when they purchase an extended warranty agreement.

Please visit www.samsungusa.com for more information.

SOURCE Samsung Electronics Company