Toshiba Makes Strategic Investment in Taiwanese Plain Paper Copier Distributor

21 March, 1997


TOKYO--Toshiba Corporation today announced a strategic investment in Taishiba Business Machines Corporation, a Taiwanese distributor of plain paper copiers (PPC). The 39-million Taiwan-dollar investment (approximately 150 million yen) will reinforce Toshiba's PPC business in the thriving Taiwanese market.

The new investment, Toshiba's first in PPC distribution in Taiwan, raises the capitalization of Taishiba from 160 million Taiwan dollars to 190 million and gives Toshiba a 15.8% stake in the company. The majority shareholder remains Ability Investment Co., Ltd., which has a 50.24% stake, while Taishiba's employees hold 19.23%, and the rest 14.73% is held by two other companies.

Taishiba initially distributed Toshiba-brand facsimile machines and telephones, and added PPC under a 1989 agreement. Its marketing activities have expanded Toshiba's office equipment business in Taiwan, and this direct investment will further enhance links between the two companies. Toshiba expects to provide marketing and service expertise and to contribute to expanding its PPC business in Taiwan.

The Asian market for PPC is growing, prompting Toshiba to reinforce its business operations in the region. Toshiba Singapore Pte., Ltd. develops regional strategy and oversees local sales subsidiaries, while Hong-Kong based United OA Ltd. handles the growing Chinese market. A new PPC manufacturing plant, Toshiba Copying Machine (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. was established in China in 1996, complementing Toshiba's PPC plants in Japan and France.


Outline of Taishiba Business Machines Corporation
Location Taipei, Taiwan
Founded October, 1982
Capital 190 million Taiwan Dollar
Shareholders 50.24% by Ability Investment Co., Ltd.,
19.23% by employees of Taishiba,
15.8% by Toshiba,
14.73% by two other corporations
Lines of Business Sales, maintenance and service of Toshiba's office equipment in Taiwan
Sales 420 million Taiwan Dollar
Employees 122

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