IMHO, all parties saw a perfect fit and went with it. Purely a strategic business move which provides and discards synergies that will improve the profitability of all parties involved. To wit:
For Ricoh:
- They intend to strengthen their presence in the consumer market, so Pentax Camera Division provides them with the appropriate vehicle to do so.
- They need to diversify their production and marketing facilities out of Japan for risk control purposes (Japan is still suffering considerably from the tremendous earthquake. Power problems, etc...). Pentax provides them this opportunity as Pentax has their main assembly facilities in different S.E. Asian countries and has a better marketing network in main global markets for consumer products.
- They got Pentax Camera Division for a relatively cheap price since Hoya purchased Pentax primarily because of their interest in another business division (medical imaging/optics). Remember that Hoya is primarily an optics company more than a consumer camera maker.
For Hoya:
- They can now return to their initial focus and objective, which is the optics business. They keep what they wanted in the first place from Pentax, and get rid of what they considered as peripheral business. And they get a small return for it.
For Pentax Camera Division:
- Indications point to Pentax being retained and the brand and assembly/design facilities being the new flagship of Ricoh's consumer camera division. Ricoh can now close some of their Japan factories as Pentax's S.E. Asian factories provide site diversification lowering certain business risks.
- Ricoh has a greater capacity to grow Pentax brand as they can provide a bigger R&D and marketing budget than what Hoya could provide.
- Pentax marketing channels and distribution networks in main global markets will be maintained and enhanced to not only promote Pentax brand, but also the Ricoh consumer products brand. Ricoh purchased Pentax specifically to grow their push in consumer camera products. So it makes sense that they intend to retain the strengths of Pentax vis-avis their own present strengths.
Bottom line: I don't see anything negative for Pentax. In fact, this synergy may eventually mean lower prices for Pentax digital cameras and lenses, while assuring more advertising and marketing exposure in the near future.
Who knows, in a couple of months the K5 may be quite affordable to buy!!