Canon reports rising demand for office printers Jan 27, 2011 15:53 by Chris Rails

Canon ink cartridges and printers are becoming increasingly sought after around the world.

According to the company, demand for office equipment went up in many of its key markets last year, due to improving economic conditions.

Canon noted that its network digital multifunction colour printers proved especially popular in the final quarter of 2010.

Demand for laser printers between October and December last year was also higher than in the same period of 2009.

The company described this as a "steady rebound" when compared with 12 months earlier.

In fact, a "substantial recovery" in this particular market was credited with helping Canon's net sales go up by 15.5 per cent year-on-year.

Canon added that the end of 2010 saw economic conditions improve in many parts of the world, including Europe and the US.

However, it said growth was driven largely by the expansion of emerging markets including India and China.

With the IMF predicting that the global economy will grow by 4.4 per cent this year, Canon might have good reason to remain optimistic for the next few months at least.