In August of 2023, Seiko Epson Corporation embarked on a significant endeavor by establishing a novel sales company known as Epson Middle East FZCO [EME]. This strategic move was undertaken with a keen eye on the vast growth potential in pivotal markets, including Africa, Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, Moldova, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The operations of this newly-formed entity are centrally managed from a regional office situated in Dubai, UAE.
Epson’s recently launched EME sales company has set forth an ambitious mission: to expedite its revenue growth and expand its presence over the course of the next five years. This lofty goal will be realized through an intensified focus on the fundamental domains of printing, scanning, and visual display solutions.
The appointment of Neil Colquhoun as President of Epson EME is a significant milestone. Colquhoun, who has dedicated over a decade to the company, will play a pivotal role in steering the company towards its objectives.
In the words of Neil Colquhoun, “The establishment of Epson EME underscores our unwavering commitment to our customers and partners in the region. We are determined to continue investing in and nurturing our presence across all key markets, spanning from Africa to the Middle East to Central Asia. By centralizing our operations in our Dubai-based office, we gain the agility and capability to respond to the evolving needs of customers in these dynamic and rapidly expanding markets, particularly in the domains of printing, scanning, and visual display solutions.”
Furthermore, the company’s progress is expected to gain momentum in line with the broader region’s growing adoption of sustainable technologies. Epson will place special emphasis on its business inkjet and ink tank printing systems, which are pivotal to its global business. These solutions offer numerous advantages, including reduced power consumption, decreased CO2 emissions and plastic waste compared to laser printers, and enhanced efficiency owing to Heat-Free technology.
Colquhoun also emphasized, “Epson’s product portfolio presents businesses and consumers with the opportunity to transition to sustainable technology solutions.”
Epson’s financial results for FY2022 were marked by remarkable sales increases, exceeding 40% in the Middle East and Türkiye, nearly a third in Africa, and approximately 10% in Central Asia, Caucasus, and Ukraine. The company anticipates a surging demand for Epson technology solutions, especially in the realm of increased scanning and automation needs for digitized workflows across various business sectors. Additionally, the continued expansion of world-class professional sports and entertainment events across the GCC, Africa, and Central Asia is creating heightened demand for projection technologies and immersive retail experiences.
With a current workforce of more than 250 Epson employees, the EME entity anticipates a 45% increase in new hires when it becomes fully operational in April 2024. This recruitment drive will prioritize nationalization, diversity, and inclusivity, with women already constituting up to 40% of the workforce. Epson’s largest offices will be located in the UAE, South Africa, and Türkiye, supplemented by operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Israel, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. Furthermore, there are plans in place to expand and enhance Epson’s network of resellers and distributors throughout the region.
