(Weymouth, MA) August 28, 2006 -- According to new research published by InfoTrends, the worldwide market for wide format laser/LED printing, copying, and multifunction systems is presently valued at over $2 billion. This includes hardware, toner, media, and the value of service contracts. InfoTrends expects worldwide shipments of wide format laser/LED hardware to rise from 42,480 units in 2005 to 44,350 units in 2010. Low-end units, which account for 61% of all unit shipments, are expected to drive this growth. Low-end unit shipments are expected to increase to 28,500 units shipped in 2010, representing a compound annual growth rate of 2%. “Over the forecast period, we expect the mix of new low-end systems to shift entirely from analog to digital so that digital entirely replaces analog by 2008,” commented Tim Greene, Wide Format Printing Consulting Service Director at InfoTrends. “The newest digital units from companies like Xerox, Océ, and Ricoh are much more value-packed than ever before, featuring low-selling prices, good speed and quality, and smaller footprints, which make them more attractive in environments where technical documents are produced.” While unit shipments are increasing, total system revenue is slowly eroding as the mix of printing products shifts towards the low end and users adopt inkjet for the use of color and electronic processes for faster cycle times. InfoTrends’ new worldwide forecast, entitled Wide Format LED Printer/Copier Market Forecast: 2005-2010, describes the trends in the wide format laser/LED market and offers detailed market sizing statistics, including hardware and supplies shipments, population, and revenue figures from 2005 through 2010. The complete report is available immediately to clients of InfoTrends’ Wide Format Printing Consulting Service. For more information about the study or to make a purchase, visit our online store or contact Nicole Shown at (781) 616-2100 ext. 207 or [email protected].