ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 7, 2008 - Xerox Corporation's Graphic Arts Premier Partners Program has reached 700 members, with the addition of Asahi Kosoku Printing Co., Ltd., from Osaka City, Japan.  The global network of leading print providers - dedicated to developing new business opportunities with digital technologies - grew its membership 32 percent last year with 164 graphic communications companies worldwide joining the program.
 
Members now can be found in 48 countries on six continents.  The rapid growth in the Xerox Premier Partners membership was led by North America, which grew by 39 percent, adding 87 new members for a total of 328.  There are 210 members in Europe, 89 in the Asia-Pacific region and 75 in other geographies.
 
"The growth in membership is a strong indication that print providers value the organization's many opportunities to network with colleagues, learn from industry experts, and partner with other printers globally to meet their business needs," said Tom Wetjen, vice president, Xerox Worldwide Graphic Communications Business.
 
The latest addition to the program, Asahi Kosoku provides digital and offset printing and extensive finishing and binding services.  The company uses a Xerox DocuColor® 7000 Digital Press and two Xerox 4110TM Copier/Printers  for short runs, fast turnarounds and personalized printing.
 
"Our selection as a Xerox Premier Partner is both an acknowledgement of our success and a promise of our continued leadership," said Tatsuya Oka, president, Asahi Kosoku, which has been a customer of Fuji Xerox for more than a year.  "By building closer relationships with leading Xerox executives and customers worldwide, we expect to stay close to industry developments that will keep us at the forefront of the New Business of Printing®.”
 
The global reach of the Xerox Premier Partners network, which was founded in 2000, is demonstrated by a current project supporting Adobe Systems Incorporated's Eighth Annual Adobe Design Achievement Awards. Fourteen Xerox Premier Partners from around the world have joined together to provide an energy-saving, distribute and print-on-demand network to fulfill production of about 300,000 call-to-entry posters and flyers for 3,000 design schools in 36 countries.
 
Graphic communications companies are invited to join the Premier Partners Program based on their commitment to meeting their customers' needs through innovative use of digital technologies, including Xerox digital printing systems and services.
 
Print buyers can gain access to this global resource via the Premier Partners Web site, http://www.xerox.com/xpp, which enables criteria-based searches of the entire worldwide network of Premier Partners.