Press Room.

January 2, 2002

Contact:
Dan Newman
Communications Manager
Ricoh Canada
905.795.5788
dnewman@ricoh.ca

Ricoh Launches Mid-Volume Aficio Imaging Systems with Next Generation Architecture Technology.

New Energy-Saving Aficio 1022 and Aficio 1027 Promote Energy Efficiency.

Toronto, January 2, 2001 – - Ricoh Canada, a leading international provider of the highest quality document and content management solutions, today introduced its Aficio 1022 and Aficio 1027 digital imaging systems. Based on Ricoh's Next Generation Architecture technology, the models include several features that set benchmarks in the areas of ease-of-use, productivity, energy saving, document management and cost.

The Aficio 1022 and Aficio 1027 systems continue to build upon Ricoh's unique Next Generation Architecture technology product line. These are more than multi-functional products. They operate as document managers at the center of the user’s department, streamlining the network document flow. The systems offer several advanced add-on options such as: high-speed duplex productivity, printing, faxing and scanning solutions and Ricoh’s Document Server, which can store and edit frequently copied, faxed or printed documents on demand.

“Ricoh is committed to providing the most efficient solutions for today’s office workgroup. By listening to our customers we have tailored our Next Generation Architecture technology product line to meet and exceed their needs,” said Norm Bussolaro, Vice President of Marketing, Ricoh Canada. “The new Aficio 1022 and Aficio 1027 systems respond to our customers’ mid-level demands at a low-end cost.”

The technology boasts a new controller platform that eliminates the need for separate controller boards for the network printing, scanning and faxing options. In addition, these environmentally friendly systems both contain Ricoh’s proprietary QSU (Quick Start-up) technology, which allows them to operate in energy-saving mode, with a 15 second start-up time for the Aficio 1022 and Aficio 1027 machines. Engine speed for the new Aficio 1022 and Aficio 1027 is 22 and 27 pages-per-minute (ppm), respectively, and delivers 600 dots-per-inch (dpi) resolution.

Like the Aficio 1035/1045, the Aficio 1022 and Aficio 1027 is developed with an open architecture, and enhances the new generation of Aficio office solutions. Through Ricoh's Software Developer’s Kit (SDK), Independent Software/Hardware vendors can develop, deploy and seamlessly integrate their software/hardware technology to provide customized solutions for specific end user needs.

The Aficio 1022 and Aficio 1027 reflect Ricoh’s continued commitment and responsibility to preserving the environment -- reducing energy consumption without sacrificing the convenience and efficiency of today’s cutting-edge technologies.

About Ricoh Canada Inc.

Ricoh is a brand recognized for raising the potential of business communication to new heights. The company is a pioneer in the development of multifunctional content and document management systems, and is a market leader in color and black & white digital imaging systems, facsimile products, printers, scanners, digital duplicators and wide format engineering systems. Ricoh employs over 74,000 people worldwide and has enjoyed a steady growth in revenue and profits for almost a decade. With its head office located in Japan, the 66 year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment experienced sales in 2000, in excess of $12 billion (U.S.). Ricoh Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary with its head office located in Toronto, employing over 750 employees nation-wide.

Ricoh has received the Energy Star Imaging Equipment Partner of the Year Award, for the last three consecutive years, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - the EPA's highest industry award, and also received the Council on Economic Priorities Environmental Stewardship Award for its commitment to the environment. Ricoh Canada is ISO 9002 certified and has recently received “Environmental Choice” certification – Environment Canada’s ecolabelling program. Ricoh has also received the Market Research Consultants Digital Copier Manufacturer of the Year Award for the last five consecutive years, and has recently been awarded with the Office Copier of the Future Award for its Aficio 1035/1045 copier/printer.

For more information about Ricoh Canada and to view our entire product line, visit: http://www.ricoh.ca or call 1.888.Ricoh 1st

All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

Aficio 1022/1027 Specifications.