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MAHWAH, N.J., Sept. 12, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, announced that Malone Office Environments has joined its extensive nationwide network of authorized dealers. As part of the agreement, Malone will now offer a range of integrated technology solutions, including Sharp's comprehensive portfolio of copiers and multifunction printers (MFPs). Sharp Authorized Dealers receive a wide array of marketing and sales support, including access to innovative tools and ongoing training.
"The addition of Malone Office Environmentsto the Columbus, GA areawill further enhance Sharp's strong dealer network," said Rich Boomsma, Senior Vice President, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. "Malone has demonstrated a strong commitment to be a leader in office technology and we look forward to working with them in the support of their customers."

"We are excited to bring on Sharp's innovative product line," said Sam Buracker, President, Malone Office Environments. "Our goal is to provide clients in the greater Columbus, GA area with leading edge products and services to make their business more efficient. We believe the addition of Sharp will further that goal."

Malone Office Environments, located in Columbus, GA, was established in 1934, serving clients in the Columbus area. Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America is a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. For more information about the complete line of Sharp workgroup document systems, contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J., 07495-1163. For online product information, visit http://www.sharpusa.com/documents.

Become a fan of Sharp at http://www.facebook.com/SharpUSA, follow us on Twitter @Sharp_USA and view us on YouTube.

About Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, markets the advanced, color MX Series multifunction printers (MFP) systems that help companies manage workflow efficiently and increase productivity. Sharp® MFPs feature the Sharp OSA® development platform, which seamlessly integrates network applications to create a personalized MFP that can meet virtually any business need, and Scan2 technology, which scans two-sided documents in a single pass, to enhance scanning reliability and help preserve document integrity. To keep documents safe from unauthorized users, Sharp is a leader in the MFP industry in security by offering one of the most secure suites of MFP applications.

About Sharp Electronics Corporation Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation. Celebrating its 100th year, Sharp is a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, solar energy solutions, LED lighting and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS® Quattron™ LCD televisions, AQUOS BOARD™ interactive display systems, SharpVision® projectors, Insight® Microwave Drawer® ovens, Notevision® multimedia projectors and Plasmacluster® air purifiers.

SOURCE Sharp Electronics Corporation
Original Post
This is interesting, in two weeks there has been two press releases in the US that Sharp has signed on new dealers. I follow all of the Sharp USA press release and can't ever remember getting a Press Release about "signing on a new dealer". I mentioned this today in conversation with another industry person today, and we both agreed that A) things are really bad with sharp and B) Sharp USA is trying to hold the fort together at least in the USA Marketplace.

Just today another Rueters report stated that the talks with Hon Hai (Terry Gou aka Ming the Merciless) has stalled! Hon Hai in March of this year agreed to purchase a 10% stake in Sharp for 500 yen per share. Hon Hai is now holding out for a management role in return for it's investment.

Sharp is seeking 3.87 billion worth of capital from two Japanese vendors by September 20th. The report also went on to state that Sharp has now mortgaged nearly all of it's domestic offices and factories, even the factory that makes the coveted Apple iPhone.

In light of the new development where Hon Hai now wants a management role in Sharp is quite the turn of events. I've read other reports that state their would be quite the culture clash with Tawainese and Japanese Management

Sharp just reported today through a bloomberg report that they will return and post a fiscal profit next year.

For our industry, some have high hopes that Sharp will sell their MFP business and some state that Sharp will keep the profitable MFP business. Here in the states, I'm hoping they end their misery of low marketshare and sell. For an industry where many say print is on the decline means that there are still too many players. We see it everyday with eroding MFP hardware and supply pricing. Taking another player out of the industry in the US marketplace will help Dealers, Direct and Manufacturers to at least stay profitable.

As the MFP industry shrinks, it will also affect jobs, and I hate to see anyone lose their job in this economic climate, but for the good of the indsutry someone has got to go.

Why not Sharp!

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