Lexmark launches three new printers

Dubai: Statistics show that one in every six printed pages is thrown away and so the industry is looking to 'duplex printers' where the page is printed on both sides, effectively halving the need for paper, according to Sandrine Guillemoteau, marketing and communications manager, Lexmark.

Printer giant Lexmark launched three latest printer models at the Gitex. They include X4650, X5650 and X6650.

Guillemoteau, said the printer industry in the Middle East is booming in the face of worldwide financial worries.

Lexmark's revenues this year increased by 25 per cent, compared to 2007.

From the Middle East sector alone, Lexmark saw a 15 per cent increase in revenues, Guillemoteau said.

The growth is predominantly from the small to medium business sectors, said Guillemoteau.

She expects another double-digit growth next year.

At the end of 2007, Lexmark held a 9 per cent market share in the Middle East printer industry.

Guillemoteau said she has noticed many people working from home in the Middle East - especially Dubai - driving up the demand for printers. The UAE is the third largest market in the Middle East, for Lexmark. Number one is Saudi Arabia followed by Egypt.

With reference to the worries of liquidity worldwide, Guillemoteau said neither the Middle East IT industry or Lexmark seem to have been affected.

"We haven't been hit in any way by the financial crisis. Governments still have budgets and are still investing in IT and in printers," Guillemoteau said.