HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced that it will seek an alternative business model for its HP-branded cameras and shift resources toward its Print 2.0 growth initiatives.
HP is currently working to identify an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner that would be licensed to design, source and distribute digital cameras under the HP brand. HP will continue selling its own cameras through the holiday season and intends to have the partnership arrangement in place in the first half of 2008.
This shift in strategy is intended to enable HP to accelerate its investment in Print 2.0 initiatives. These include furthering HP’s leadership position in home photo printing and online photo services, while accelerating the company’s retail photo-finishing business.
Announced in May 2007, the company’s Print 2.0 strategy focuses on three areas: delivering a next-generation digital printing platform that increases print speeds and lowers the cost of printing for high-volume commercial markets; making it easier to print from the web; and, extending HP’s digital content creation and publishing platforms across all customer segments.
As a result of its new camera business strategy, HP will take a pre-tax charge of approximately $30 million in the fourth fiscal quarter ending Oct. 31, 2007.
About HP
HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $100.5 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2007. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.
