IBM and Ricoh to Create Joint Venture Printing Systems Company

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Ricoh and IBM have announced formation of a joint venture company based on IBM's Printing Systems Division as Ricoh strengthens its capabilities in output solutions, including production printing. On closing of the agreement between Ricoh and IBM, Ricoh initially will acquire 51 percent of the joint venture, which will be called the InfoPrint Solutions Company, and will progressively acquire the remaining 49 percent over the next three years as the joint venture evolves into a fully owned subsidiary of Ricoh.

As consideration for the transaction, IBM will receive $725 million in cash upon closing, which includes a management fee of $35 million. The cash received is consideration for the initial 51 percent acquisition of the joint venture by Ricoh as well as a prepayment for the remaining 49 percent to be acquired and certain royalties and services to be provided by IBM to the InfoPrint Solutions Company. Final consideration for this transaction will be determined at the end of the three-year period based upon the participation in the profits and losses recorded by the equity partners. The initial transaction is planned to be completed in the second quarter of 2007.

Pending regulatory clearance and after completion of local Industrial Relations information and consultation processes as appropriate, the InfoPrint Solutions Company is expected to begin operations with about 1,200 employees. IBM will continue to provide maintenance services to InfoPrint Solutions Company clients under a service agreement. Over time, more than 1,000 IBM printer maintenance specialists may join the new company. This will depend on local business conditions and completion of local information and consultation processes.

InfoPrint Solutions Company's worldwide headquarters will be located in Boulder, Colorado, currently the headquarters of the IBM Printing Systems Division. The General Manager of the IBM Printing Systems Division, Tony Romero, will head the new company as President and Chief Executive Officer. Until the closing of the agreement and implementation in countries, the IBM Printing Systems Division will maintain its current business operations. There will be minimal charges associated with the transaction in the current quarter.

IBM's printing business generated approximately $1 billion of revenue in 2006. The total pre-tax gain anticipated by IBM on the transaction with Ricoh will be between $175 million and $275 million. At closing, the pre-tax gain in that period is expected to be between $100 million and $150 million. The balance of the anticipated gain will be recognized over the next three years as Ricoh acquires IBM's 49 percent ownership in the InfoPrint Solutions Company. The exact amount of the gain is not yet determinable and will be disclosed when the transaction closes and that information is available. The variables that impact the final gain include valuation of the final net assets to be transferred at closing, valuation of other agreements signed with the joint venture, transaction related expenses, and the operational performance of the joint venture.

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