In 1983, Japanese photocopier manufacturer Mita Industrial Corp. gained a foothold in Latin America after it formed a partnership with Omicron Panama Corp.
And when Kyocera acquired rival Mita Industrial in 2000, Omicron Panama decided to keep the relationship alive, aware of the Japanese giant’s unassailable reputation around the world.
“We are very honored to be representing Kyocera in Panama. We work and feel as an extension of the brand, and therefore we strive to uphold the high standards of quality and service that our Japanese partners look for. And so proud are we that we have maintained that exclusive partnership for 30 years without ever considering carrying other brands,” stressed General Manager Cristo Giannareas.
With six distribution outlets and seven service centers in Panama, Omicron has seen its revenues increase steadily, particularly in the private and corporate sectors.
Business has focused on document management and printing solutions, such as printers, multifunction machines, wide-format systems and consumables.
Amid a sharply rising energy demand in Panama, Omicron has begun selling Kyocera Solar Panels, a product line that has seen much success, specifically in the rural areas where electricity is not always fully available.
“We started to see people from the rural areas using our solar panels to power refrigerators or freezers, which would allow them to start small businesses selling cold refreshments to the growing number of tourists. We have grown with them and contributed to the growth of trade in those areas,” said Giannareas.
Looking forward to the next three decades, Omicron is deeply appreciative of its strong relationship with its Japanese partners.
“We want to thank our partners in Japan for the trust that they have given us for the last 30 years, a trust that has never been stronger. This is what motivates us to be better each and every day as we bring the brand to even greater heights,” Giannareas said.
Note: This Special Report on Panama originally appeared in The Japan Times on October 30, 2103 (Credit: Philippe Le Saux)
