SAN LUIS OBISPO - Ricoh Americas Corporation announced a new partnership with the Graphic Communication Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, a world-leader in imaging sciences education.
 
Ricoh's Production Printing Business Group (PPBG) donated a fully-configured Pro C900S digital color production printing system to Cal Poly. The donation includes training and ongoing service by Ricoh's IKON division.
 
With this donation, Ricoh will become an active member of Cal Poly's Partners in Education Program. This partnership will provide Cal Poly students exposure to Ricoh technology, specifically the Pro C900S, which will become a standard part of the "Learn by Doing" curriculum, a hallmark of Cal Poly's hands-on educational philosophy.
 
This alliance further supports Ricoh's commitment to the graphic arts and to continue as a major player in production printing, part of the company's global strategy.
 
"We're excited to enter into a partnership with Ricoh, as the combined expertise of Ricoh's PPBG unit and Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department will help shape the future of the commercial printing industry," said Harvey Levenson, head of the Graphic Communication Department. "Ricoh's leading technology offerings will provide our students and industry professionals with experiential-learning that will allow them to gain practical knowledge of the industry's latest innovations."
 
As part of the agreement, Ricoh will also work with Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Institute (GrCI). GrCI focuses on services for the industry including research, laboratory testing, product evaluations, consulting, training and development, seminars, workshops and conferences. In addition, Ricoh and IKON will serve as key partners within Cal Poly's intern program, providing guest lecturers and equipment benchmark testing.
 
"This new strategic partnership offers an exciting future for Ricoh's customers, because they will benefit from the combined power of a world-class academic institution focused on the imaging sciences and technology leadership from Ricoh," said Carl Joachim, vice president of Marketing, PPBG, Ricoh Americas Corporation. "Together, we have the ability to open up new opportunities for Ricoh, Cal Poly, students in the Graphic Communication Department and our customers."
 
"One of the first things we want to accomplish is the creation of a commercial printing advisory board, to expose the participants to thought leadership from Cal Poly and Ricoh," Joachim said. "There will be tremendous benefit to all parties involved."
 
In addition to using Ricoh's technology for hands-on learning, the partnership will also ensure the use of Ricoh's system within Cal Poly's experiential laboratory, a student-run printing and publishing company, University Graphic Systems (UGS). By implementing Ricoh's technology through Cal Poly's commercial printing services, students have the opportunity to experience real-world applications in a professionally-supported environment.