Ricoh Australia has announced that Les Richardson will replace outgoing Managing Director Nigel Shepherd when he retires from the business on September 1, 2008. Richardson takes up the role following a successful term in the position of general manager, systems support which he has held with Ricoh Australia since 2000.
In his previous role Richardson was responsible for the national direct service, technical support, parts logistics, the national call centre and, more recently, the business solutions group, which he helped Australian business customers realise the full capabilities of Ricoh’s software enabled multifunction printers (MFP).
Ricoh Australia says Richardson’s appointment comes at an interesting time for the digital office equipment industry as increasing economic pressures force corporate Australia to look at operational investment more strategically than has been done previously.
In the past 12 months alone, Ricoh’s research indicates there has been a tipping point in demand for integrated applications as businesses look for new forms of value from their office MFP.
Speaking at the customer launch of Ricoh’s ‘Believe in a better way’ campaign in Sydney yesterday, Richardson said that his first priority would be leading Ricoh in the delivery of services that will better enable it to support businesses in managing the increasing volume of information and riding the economic turbulence ahead.
He said, “Telecommunications developments and the internet have sped up the flow of information. However, what we’re finding is that office practices have not kept pace with the increased speed and volume. The end result is that many organisations are finding their business processes need development,”
“My key focus in the short term is transforming Ricoh from a company that has been traditionally viewed as a box manufacturer to a company that helps businesses move information and images in the most efficient and effective way, saving them time and money.”
Richardson has a strong background in the industry. Starting his career as a technician with
Canon Australia in 1977, he rose through the ranks for almost two decades before assuming the role of General Manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group until 1999.
In 1987 he acquired a Bachelor in Business, majoring in Economics from the University of Technology, Sydney and holds graduate management qualifications form University of NSW.
After more than 16 years in the top job, outgoing managing director Shepherd congratulated Richardson on the appointment and said he felt confident that Richardson had the skills to drive the company through the next stage of its development.
