Multifunction products market enjoys boom

The European printer, copier and multifunctional product (MFP) market grew 16.2 per cent in 2003, to 34.5 million devices shipped.

According to the latest research from Gartner, growth in the European sector was largely driven by strong demand for colour devices and MFPs.

Shipments of MFPs in the fourth quarter alone totalled 11.8 million units, a 16.4 per cent increase on the same quarter in 2002.

The analyst said that shipments of laser printers grew but sales for standalone copiers decreased as a result of demand for MFPs.

The research also highlighted a migration from monochrome to colour devices and the growing popularity of digital cameras, which led to an increase in sales of inkjet photo MFPs over standalone colour inkjet printers.

"2003 was a good year for the MFP market and we saw confidence increasing, particularly in the last half of the year," said Cecile Gobin, analyst at Gartner.

"Companies started replacing old equipment again, following two years of tight budgets and extending replacement cycles."