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Continued Growth for A4 Color MFPs, Business Inkjets in North America and Europe

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HP PageWide business-inkjet color MFPs.

Earlier this month, market-research firm InfoTrends issued a new forecast showing continued growth for A4 color MFPs – devices that print on up to 8.5″x14″ media – as well as growth for business-inkjets through 2021, in both North America and Western Europe

While the overall office-equipment markets in North America and Western Europe are mature, InfoTrends expects unit growth in A4 color MFPs particularly within the 45+ppm speed segment, and within Segment 3 business inkjets for small and mid-size businesses, according to  InfoTrends’ recently published SF Printer and MF Hardware Forecasts for both regions.

InfoTrends believes that the market will continue to shift from single-function laser printers to MFPs, and from black-and-white to color MFPs.

The firm points out that in 2016, MFP printers represented 52 percent of all laser unit shipments, and by 2021, its forecast shows MFPs will grow to about 58 percent of total unit shipments. Color laser devices are also expected to grow from 31 to 34 percent of total shipments in North America and from 37 to 40 percent in Western Europe during the same period.

In North America, office-color laser A4 MFP shipments are expected to grow at a 3.9 percent CAGR (compound annual growth rate) through 2021, while in Western Europe, shipments there are expected to grow at a 2.5 percent CAGR.

InfoTrends forecasts that the majority of unit placements will be within the Laser Segments 2–4 (21-69 ppm) speed range ,as the shift to color and multi-functional devices continues in the office environment.

Business Ink Poised for Market Growth

InfoTrends also forecasts continued growth in unit shipments within its Business Inkjet Segments 3 and 4 in both North America and Western Europe through 2021. In North America, shipments are expected to grow at 6.2 percent CAGR, while in Western Europe, the combined segments are targeted to grow at a 4.6 percent CAGR during the same period.

Business-inkjet shipment growth is said to be fueled by “a new breed of high-end serial inkjet and page-wide models introduced over the last few years.” This new breed of inkjet devices is said to offer an attractive alternative to laser particularly within the small and mid-size business office environment with their standard wireless connectivity, high-yield consumables, and in some cases, comparable cost per page to laser.

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