Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc. and Fuji Graphic Systems Canada Inc. are joining their operations into one company that will serve the photo imaging, graphic arts, computer media, and motion picture markets in Canada.

The name of the new company will be Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc. and the headquarters will be located at 600 Suffolk Court, Mississauga.

The amalgamation is expected to be completed by April 1, 2006 and a president for the new combined Fuji Canada operation will be named by that date.

In a meeting with employees of both companies, Shunji Saito, President of Fuji Photo Film Canada explained that "we are in the midst of a dramatic shift in digital imaging technology. With this merger, we are positioning ourselves to provide all of our Canadian customers totally integrated digital solutions through the focusing of all of Fuji's resources and technologies." Toshiaki Mori, president of Fuji Graphic Systems continued, "we see a considerable overlap in our core businesses, and our customers tell us of their desire to deal with a single solutions provider that can provide integrated digital solutions that span across traditional business unit lines".

The new combined Fuji Canada operation will provide sales, technical and professional services of the business lines of Consumer Photographic Products (including Digital Cameras), Digital Image Printing Solutions, Graphic Arts solutions, Motion picture film, and Computer Media products.

The merger will realize an increase in the depth of service, education and solutions Fuji can provide our customers, partners, distributors and suppliers. In addition, the amalgamation in the Toronto area facilities, where we operate two separate offices, will result in some cost efficiencies.

"We have committed ourselves to the supply of quality products and services to the Canadian graphic arts industry. We are taking steps to strengthen the operations of Fuji in Canada," said Toshiaki Mori. "To this end our Graphics group is actively recruiting sales and technical expertise to increase the depth of service solutions we can offer our customers. Our knowledge translates into our customer's profit, which promotes the long term profitable relationships Fuji strives to build. We will now be able to jointly market, service and support our expanded customer base with our much larger and stronger organization. We will also greatly expand our reach in Western Canada with the addition of a major warehouse/office in the Vancouver area."

In parallel to the photography revolution, the graphic arts market has shifted to digital production. Fuji solutions such as digital cameras, colour management of digital pictures, illustrations and documents, computer-to-plate and digital printing technologies have resulted in an alignment of the traditional photo and commercial print markets.

Most staff from the Fuji Graphics building at 6425 Airport Road in Mississauga will relocate to the newer and more modern facility occupied by Fuji Photo Film, at 600 Suffolk Court, also in Mississauga, by June 30, 2006. New construction to accommodate the expanded demonstration & service facilities is currently underway at Suffolk Court.

Fuji stock is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and on NASDAQ. Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc. and Fuji Graphics Systems Canada Inc. have been operating in Canada since 1979 and 1993, respectively. Japan is Canada's third largest trading partner, after the United States and China.

For further information: Media Relations - Contact at Fuji Canada (Graphics business unit), Name: Tony Karg, Title: Director of Business Development & Marketing, Office: (905) 612-8111 x4351, Cell: (416) 948-5350, Email: tkarg@fgsc.ca; Media Relations - Contact at Fuji Photo (Photo business unit), Name: Tim Berry, Title: Vice President & General Manager, Marketing & Technical, Office: (905) 755-2709, Email: tberry@fujifilm.ca

Source: newswire