TOSHIBA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LOOKS WEST WITH THE ACQUISITION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-BASED FKM COPIER PRODUCTS
Latest Dealer Acquisition is First in 2005 - 33rd Overall
IRVINE , California ( Feb 23, 2005 ) :
Toshiba Business Solutions (TBS) has further strengthened its dealer presence on the west coast by today announcing the acquisition of FKM Copier Products (FKM). Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., FKM operates five facilities serving the greater Northern and Southern California areas. This acquisition is TBS' 33rd dealer acquisition since the inception of the company's market growth strategy. FKM is the first acquisition of CY2005, following nine acquisitions in CY2004 by TBS. FKM creates a major presence in the backyard of Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc., which is headquartered in Irvine, Calif.
"Toshiba is a recognized leader in developing quality technology products and we are pleased to be joining forces with them," said Mike Cornwell, president, FKM. "Through the merging of our businesses, our company, our customers, and our employees all will benefit from the considerable resources that a partner such as Toshiba provides."
In business since 1979, FKM Copier Products has been one of the largest independently owned dealers in the United States, offering unsurpassed sales, service and supplies. FKM has won numerous office dealer awards, including being recognized by Office Dealer Magazine as an "Elite Dealer" the past five years running, being named one of BTA's "2005 Resellers of the Year," and being a J.D. Power and Associates "Certified Dealer." FKM currently employs 80 professionals.
"FKM will greatly enhance our goals of providing greater market presence in the Southern and Northern California areas," said Wayne Wilkinson, vice president of Business Operations, TBS. "FKM has been very successful in the markets they serve and we are pleased to welcome them as a Toshiba partner."
TBS' most recent dealer acquisitions include Becker Business Systems in Newburgh, N.Y., McRae Office Solutions in the Carolinas, and Allied Office Solutions in Kansas City, MO.
"FKM is a highly regarded dealership with a solid customer service infrastructure and we are excited to them have as a member of the Toshiba team," said Rick Taylor, senior vice president, Sales, Marketing and Operations, TABS.
About FKM Copier Products
FKM Copier Products was founded in 1979 and provides products, services and supplies for multifunctional products, copiers and printers. In addition to its printing products, FKM offers its customers networking services from design to installation as well as ongoing network administration. FKM offers certified network professionals to provide effective information technology assistance.
About Toshiba America Business Solutions
Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (TABS) manages product planning, marketing, sales, service support and distribution of copiers, facsimiles, multifunction printing products, network controllers and toner products throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TABS has four divisions: the Electronic Imaging Division, Toner Products Division and Document Solutions Engineering Division; and Toshiba Business Solutions (TBS), which operates a national network of wholly owned subsidiaries.
Named the most favored manufacturer in seven of the past eight years by the Business Technology Association (BTA), Toshiba's entire product line, customer support and marketing distribution policies are markers for the industry. Among the many other awards garnered in recent years, Toshiba was named the "Copier Manufacturer of the Year" by the Marketing Research Consultants (MRC) in 2004, 2002, 2001, 1998 and 1997, was named to the CIO 100 for being one of the top 100 "agile" companies in the world in 2004, and received the CIO Web Business award for its leading edge intranet site in 2000, 1999 and 1998.
TABS is an independent operating company of Toshiba Corporation, the seventh largest electronics/electrical equipment company and the world's 62nd largest company in terms of sales. Ranked by Fortune magazine as the 8th Most Admired Electronics Company in America and 9th Most Admired Electronics Company in the World, Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Fiscal year revenue in 2003 was approximately $53 billion.
For more information on Toshiba copier, facsimile, multifunction printing products, network controllers or toner products, or for a dealer in your area, call 1 800 GO TOSHIBA or visit the TABS Web site at www.copiers.toshiba.com.