Multifunction inkjets cross the million mark

The Australian multifunction inkjet device market crossed the million unit milestone at the close of 2005, hitting a healthy year-on-year growth rate of 24 percent, according to IDC.

While multi-function inkjets had registered solid growth since 2004, price cuts and aggressive vendor marketing emerged during the year to help spur growth, the research company said.

In 2005 the sub-$150 device sector accounted for 42 percent of all shipments in 2005, up significantly from the 2004 sales figure of 11 percent.

Vendor rankings, based on unit shipments, saw a reshuffle in 2005.

While HP continued to garner the highest share with 39.5 percent, Canon with 19.1 percent displaced Lexmark with 17.9 percent for second spot. Epson maintained its fourth ranking with 17.9 percent, while Brother with 7.4 percent, overtook Dell’s 5.1 percent to claim the fifth position.

IDC said it expected growth in the sector to slow in 2006.