Ricoh plans to relocate production of multifunction printers from its Shanghai and Dongguan facilities to Thailand, preparing for possible new tariffs under a second Trump presidency, Nikkei reported. The printer maker, which derives 20% of its global revenue from US sales, will maintain Chinese production for other markets including Japan and Europe.
The shift focuses on A4 multifunction devices, building on the company’s 2019 move to manufacture A3 printers in Thailand for North American customers. Ricoh is also exploring production options through its joint venture with Toshiba Tec in Southeast Asia.
To buffer against potential tariffs, the company is accelerating exports of China-made products to North America, a strategy that could increase inventory by 1-2 billion yen ($6.7-13.4 million) by March’s end.
The relocation reflects broader shifts in Japanese manufacturing investment. Government data shows Japanese-controlled manufacturers cut their China and Hong Kong investments by 16.2% to $951 million in Q2 2023, while boosting presence in Southeast Asia and North America. China now represents less than 20% of total investment, compared to Southeast Asia’s 25% and North America’s 36.8%.
