Ricoh and Brother Partner to Expand A4 Print Offerings in the US

Be sure to visit Keypoint Intelligence’s YouTube Channel for interviews and other insightful videos!

Ricoh USA, Inc. and Brother International Corporation have entered an alliance focused on the US market to enhance Ricoh’s A4 printer portfolio through the inclusion of Brother’s Workhorse Series of business-class devices. This move strengthens Ricoh’s ability to serve customers seeking compact, budget-minded A4 solutions while maintaining full alignment with its current product strategy.

US-Only Agreement Focused on A4 Expansion
This alliance is exclusive to the United States and formalizes an existing relationship between the two companies. It is designed to make Brother’s A4 MFPs and printers available to Ricoh Direct and authorized Ricoh dealers—without requiring a separate program or contractual relationship with Brother. Ricoh will offer Brother products as part of its own portfolio, preserving the Brother brand while ensuring integrated access for partners and customers.

What It Means for Ricoh Direct and Ricoh Dealers
The partnership offers tailored support and operational models for Ricoh Direct and Ricoh dealers:

• For Ricoh Direct: When Brother products are sold directly by Ricoh’s internal sales teams, Ricoh manages the full customer experience—including supply fulfillment, parts distribution, and field support. Supplies are shipped directly to customers, and Ricoh technicians can request parts through Ricoh’s automated backend system, which interfaces directly with Brother for just-in-time fulfillment.
• For Ricoh Dealers: Authorized Ricoh dealers can sell Brother Workhorse products via Ricoh’s distribution partners. Dealers purchase Brother supplies and (when needed) Brother service parts through these distributors at Ricoh-negotiated value pricing. This model simplifies dealer procurement and ensures consistency with Ricoh’s broader channel programs.

This structure enables direct and dealer channels to operate within the Ricoh ecosystem, while leveraging Brother’s proven A4 product line.

Clarifying Product Positioning
Importantly, Ricoh has emphasized that this alliance does not replace its existing A4 models, such as the IM C320F and P C375. These devices remain a core part of Ricoh’s lineup, particularly in use cases that demand more robust functionality.

The Brother Workhorse Series is intended to complement Ricoh’s offerings—particularly by filling a gap in the lower end of the A4 spectrum, where devices must be lightweight, cost-efficient, and optimized for decentralized and hybrid work environments.

Additionally, Brother devices will not be white labeled under the Ricoh brand. Both parties are committed to preserving brand identity while expanding customer choice within a unified purchasing and support model.

Broader Industry Implications
The agreement highlights several ongoing trends in the print technology space:

• Increasing demand for compact, affordable A4 devices that integrate with digital workflows
• A preference for simplified vendor relationships and consolidated service models
• A need for modular portfolios that allow providers to scale across customer segments without overextending product lines

By combining Ricoh’s reach, support infrastructure, and enterprise relationships with Brother’s specialization in the small-to-medium business (SMB)-ready A4 devices, the alliance delivers practical value for a wide range of verticals—including healthcare, legal, finance, and retail.

Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
This US-focused alliance enables Ricoh to expand its A4 portfolio without compromise, while creating efficiencies for its direct and dealer channels. Dealers benefit from streamlined procurement and pricing, while customers gain access to a broader set of options all under the operational control and support of Ricoh.

As the A4 category continues to grow in strategic importance, especially in hybrid work environments, this type of targeted partnership may become increasingly relevant in shaping the future of the office print ecosystem.

Stay ahead in the ever-evolving print industry by browsing our Industry Reports page for the latest insights. Log in to the InfoCenter to view research on A4 hardware through our Workplace CompleteView Advisory Service. Log in to bliQ for product-level research, reports, and specs. Not a subscriber? Contact us for more information.