Canon is a name that most people are familiar with. Known for their high-quality print solutions, photography, and imaging solutions, Canon has become a household name over the years. It’s a company that’s been operating for eight-five years and according to Companies Market Cap, has a market capitalization that as of March 2023 is $21.96 billion.
But what’s the story behind Canon? How did it begin and transform into the print powerhouse it is today? Usherwood has a tight-knit relationship with Canon, and we've tried out various vendors and manufacturers over the years. Canon is a vendor we trust and have had a longstanding partnership with, so today we’ll explore the history of Canon and how it became one of the top print/copier manufacturers in the world.
Canon’s Beginnings
Canon, a Japanese multinational corporation, started its printer journey in early 1968, when it ventured into the plain-paper copier market with the Canon NP System, the original electro-photography technology. In 1970, Canon introduced their first plain-paper copier, the NP-1100, and in 1972, the NP-70, the world’s first PPC with the liquid-dry system was brought forth.
Afterwards, the world’s first retention-type copying machine, the NP-8500, was introduced in 1978 and the NP-8500 SUPER, an ultrahigh-speed copying machine capable of producing 135 copiers per minute, came in 1981.
In 1985, came the Bubble Jet printer. This was one of the first inkjet printers that used bubble ejection technology to create high-quality prints. The Bubble Jet printer was an instant success and set the standard for inkjet printing across the world. After the success of the Bubble Jet printer, Canon continued to push the boundaries of printer and copier technology by developing laser printers.
The first Canon laser printer was introduced in 1987 and was called the LBP-CX. This printer revolutionized the printing industry by delivering high-quality text and graphics at an unparalleled speed, ultimately changing many businesses’ print and copying workflows and leading to Usherwood’s beginnings with laser printers and copiers.
First Color Laser Printer
In 1993, Canon introduced its first color laser printer, the LBP-CX Color Laser Printer. This groundbreaking achievement marked the company's entry into the color printing market. The LBP-CX was an instant success, and it laid the foundation for Canon to become an industry leader in the printing and copier market.
From here, Canon continued to innovate and introduced the IR-C2100 series in 1999. This was the company's first digital color copier, which became an instant hit in the market. The IR-C2100 series set the standard for high-quality color copying. Canon continued to improve the technology by introducing advanced features such as automatic duplex printing, color calibration, and color correction.
New Innovations
In recent years, Canon has continued to release state-of-the-art printers and copiers that are designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals. Some of the latest innovations include the imageRUNNER ADVANCE series, imagePRESS, and PIXMA PRO printers. These devices offer a range of advanced features such as wireless connectivity, cloud integration, and high-resolution printing quality.
Usherwood’s Background with Canon
The partnership between Usherwood Office Technology and Canon dates back to the early 1980s, when Usherwood was a local company just getting started in the office technology business with cash registers and typewriters. At the time, Canon was already an established player in the industry, with a reputation for innovation and quality.
Becoming a Canon Dealer
In the early 1980s, Usherwood became a Canon dealership for the Northern part of New York State, starting in Usherwood’s birth county, Oswego. At that time, Usherwood began offering a full line of Canon plain-paper copiers, including the models:
- NP30
- NP80
- NP120
- NP125
- NP200
- NP210
- NP300
- NP400
In addition, Usherwood also picked up the Canon typewriter line in 1982 and sold products like the AP400 and AP500 electronic typewriters. During this time, Canon launched the first personal plain-paper copier in the market called the PC10 and PC20, with replaceable cartridges.
During this decade, Canon had become one of the largest plain-paper copiers manufacturers in the world, and still continues to be a leader in the industry today. During this time, Usherwood continued to work with Canon and pick up many of Canon’s new game-changing print and copy equipment.
By 1984, Canon introduced the world’s first plain-paper reader/printer for commercial use, the PC Printer 70, as well as the NP-9030 digital laser copying machine and laser beam facsimile machines.
The Canon New Process-9030 digital laser copying machine utilized new technology to create electro-technology, developing mono-components to make toner-only driven copies which eliminated the need for an actual developer to help create the printed image. In 1989, the CLC-500 color laser copying machine entered the market, changing the print industry by exhibiting a digital color print line.
Growing with Canon
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Usherwood continued to grow and expand its service offerings, with Canon's products playing a key role in this growth. From copiers and fax machines to printers, scanners, and typewriters. Usherwood relied on Canon to provide the latest and most advanced office technology solutions to its clients.
In the early 2000s, the relationship between Usherwood and Canon shifted to a more strategic partnership. Usherwood became a Canon Authorized Dealer, a designation that recognized our company's deep technical expertise and commitment to customer service. As a Canon dealer, Usherwood gained access to a broader range of Canon products and services, including the company's cutting-edge imageRUNNER series of multifunction printers.
In recent years, as the office technology landscape has become more complex and diverse, Usherwood has continued to rely on Canon to provide best-in-class solutions to its clients. Today, Usherwood offers an extensive range of Canon products and services, including advanced imaging technologies, document management solutions, and professional services such as managed print services.
Today with Canon and Usherwood
For over four decades, Usherwood Office Technology has helped businesses of all sizes streamline their workflow, boost productivity, and improve bottom-line performance. For a significant portion of this time, the company has partnered with Canon to offer its clients the latest and most advanced office technology solutions available. As they continue to grow and evolve, we can only expect more great things from Canon in the years to come.
From the latest in Canon office technology to customized solutions that meet your unique business needs, we have the expertise and resources to help you succeed. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your business goals.
