IDC research reveals stronger MFD sales

Multifunction printers defy economic downturn to record solid worldwide sales growth

Colour laser MFDs led the Q1 global printer market

Multifunction printers defy economic downturn to record solid worldwide sales growth

Colour laser multifunction devices (MFDs) were Q1 2009 leader of the global printer market, with sales growing six per cent year on year.

According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, MFDs dominate the overall hardcopy peripherals market with a 62 per cent share and 16.3 million units shipped in the quarter.

“The MFD market has fared much better than the single-function printer market, as products continue to make the transition towards multifunction,” the market watcher reported. “HP continues to lead the worldwide laser MFD market with a 19.2 per cent share based on Q109 shipments of 541,042 units.”

HP has now led for nine quarters. Samsung and Brother came next, with 16.4 per cent and 13.5 per cent, respectively.

GfK figures suggest that MFD success, particularly via mass merchandisers, has underlined a single-function printing market fall of more than a year.

“In March 2009, A4 inkjet single function printers were down 47 per cent in volume and 37 per cent in value on March 2008,” GfK reported.

MFDs with wireless or photo printing functionality are also boosting sales, according to GfK.