What made Hoya sell Pentax?

yusuf · 07-02-2011, 04:31 AM

Just 3 years old acquisition and in this period Pentax brand has really picked up against competition with k-x & later k-5 success. So what made Hoya sell Pentax?

Adam · 07-02-2011, 04:37 AM

They never really wanted them that badly- from what I read, all they were after were some patents. Furthermore, the CEO got yelled at for spending so much on the acquisition ($1b as far as I remember), and he was told that this was a "mistake".

dgaies · 07-02-2011, 05:01 AM

Originally posted by Adam

They never really wanted them that badly- from what I read, all they were after were some patents. Furthermore, the CEO got yelled at for spending so much on the acquisition ($1b as far as I remember), and he was told that this was a "mistake".

That pretty much sums it up

Yeah, from all accounts Hoya primarily acquired Pentax for the medical imaging division and related patents. I believe they always intended to sell off the camera division at some point. That point seems to be now

mikemike · 07-02-2011, 05:13 AM

IIRC, their motivation for buying pentax was for the medical imaging stuff. I believe that Hoya retained that and pushed off the consumer oriented cameras to Ricoh.

reeftool · 07-02-2011, 05:14 AM

No surprise really. The Wikipedia info on Hoya should pretty much explain why.
Hoya Corporation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

mikemike · 07-02-2011, 05:20 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by reeftool

No surprise really. The Wikipedia info on Hoya should pretty much explain why.
Hoya Corporation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yeah, thats what I thought too.

If you want your picture taken by a HOYA-PENTAX, bend over. And hope that they kept the diminutive limited model.

Personally, I will try to stay in the RICOH-PENTAX market.

**Pål Jensen** · 07-02-2011, 05:23 AM

Hoya have no expertise in digital camera development and manufatcure....

Pablom · 07-02-2011, 05:28 AM

I think the medical division is pretty big and profitable, much more than the camera business, and they didn't sell it

Blue · 07-02-2011, 07:42 AM

It was technically a merger and know Hoya is having to split out the part they want to divest into a second company. I think all the so-call yelling that Hoya did over spending too much was just High Japanese Drama to set the current stage so they don't come off looking like corporate raiders.

Lastly, it isn't a done deal. It will be interesting to see if Ricoh has the $124 million or just enough for a cup of coffee. By Oct 1, Ricoh maybe taken over by Holga.

jeffkrol · 07-02-2011, 12:54 PM

Hoya doesn't do retail.. at least not well... The "Hoya" filters are really a sham, It's hoya glass and maybe a tiny bit of R&D but mostly 3rd party assembly/distribution ect.

Hoya's core philosophy is to be a big fish in a small pond.. Cameras DO NOT fit that philosophy. Only credit I give hoya is (I assume mostly cultural since collapsing Pentax camera would be a black eye to their history. An oddity for an american company, sop for Japanese apparently. western businessmen, don't think about it too much

) the fact they didn't fold it hours after acquiring what they wanted...........

tokina/hoya/Pentax/kenko are interwoven in cultural ways not easily understood by "western" business philosophy.

jeffkrol · 07-02-2011, 12:57 PM

Originally posted by Blue

Lastly, it isn't a done deal. It will be interesting to see if Ricoh has the $124 million or just enough for a cup of coffee. By Oct 1, Ricoh maybe taken over by Holga.

doubt if cash or credit is out of reach. Japanese banks are still running close to zero interest I believe (haven't checked in awhile).

Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Date of Establishment February 6, 1936
Head Office Ricoh Building, 8-13-1 Ginza,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8222 Japan
Map
Representative Directors

Shiro Kondo
President and CEO

Zenji Miura
Deputy president, CSO, CFO and CIO

The board
Capitalization 135.3 billion yen (as of March 31, 2011)
Consolidated Net Sales 1,942.0 billion yen (Year ended March 31, 2011)
Number of Consolidated Campanies 234 companies (as of March 31, 2011)
Main Business

<Imaging and Solutions>

[Imaging Solutions]
Digital/analog copiers, MFPs (multifunction printers), laser printers, facsimile machines, digital duplicators, related supplies and services, related softwares.

[Network System Solutions]
PCs, servers, and related services, support and supplies.

<Industrial Products>

Thermal media, optical equipments, semiconductors, electronic components and measuring equipment.

<Other>

Digital cameras, etc.
Number of Employees 109,014 (on consolidated basis, as of March 31, 2011)

http://www.ricoh.com/about/company/data/corporate_profile/ricoh_2010_en.pdf

Mike Cash · 07-02-2011, 01:20 PM

Are the same people who engaged in wailing and gnashing of teeth back when Hoya bought Pentax the same people who are engaging in wailing and gnashing of teeth now that Hoya is selling Pentax? Inquiring minds want to know.

robgo2 · 07-02-2011, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by Pablom

I think the medical division is pretty big and profitable, much more than the camera business, and they didn't sell it

I'm a physician. You would not believe how inflated prices are for anything that is used for medical purposes, which means that profits are enormous. Even taking into account the costs of development, the prices are obscene. That is why Hoya was more interested in Pentax Medical than Pentax Imaging.

Rob

Blue · 07-02-2011, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by jeffkrol

doubt if cash or credit is out of reach. Japanese banks are still running close to zero interest I believe (haven't checked in awhile).

Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Date of Establishment February 6, 1936
Head Office Ricoh Building, 8-13-1 Ginza,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8222 Japan
Map
Representative Directors

Shiro Kondo
President and CEO

Zenji Miura
Deputy president, CSO, CFO and CIO

The board
Capitalization 135.3 billion yen (as of March 31, 2011)
Consolidated Net Sales 1,942.0 billion yen (Year ended March 31, 2011)
Number of Consolidated Campanies 234 companies (as of March 31, 2011)
Main Business

<Imaging and Solutions>

[Imaging Solutions]
Digital/analog copiers, MFPs (multifunction printers), laser printers, facsimile machines, digital duplicators, related supplies and services, related softwares.

[Network System Solutions]
PCs, servers, and related services, support and supplies.

<Industrial Products>

Thermal media, optical equipments, semiconductors, electronic components and measuring equipment.

<Other>

Digital cameras, etc.
Number of Employees 109,014 (on consolidated basis, as of March 31, 2011)

http://www.ricoh.com/about/company/data/corporate_profile/ricoh_2010_en.pdf

Well, I know about the History of Ricoh and most of the Japanese and German Companies and the founding date doesn't mean much.

Originally posted by jeffkrol

Hoya doesn't do retail.. at least not well... The "Hoya" filters are really a sham, It's hoya glass and maybe a tiny bit of R&D but mostly 3rd party assembly/distribution ect.

Hoya's core philosophy is to be a big fish in a small pond.. Cameras DO NOT fit that philosophy. Only credit I give hoya is (I assume mostly cultural since collapsing Pentax camera would be a black eye to their history. An oddity for an american company, sop for Japanese apparently. western businessmen, don't think about it too much

) the fact they didn't fold it hours after acquiring what they wanted...........

tokina/hoya/Pentax/kenko are interwoven in cultural ways not easily understood by "western" business philosophy.

I regard Hoya from the optical side of things as a provider of optical glass raw materials and blanks. As far as retail, no one really expects them to do retail directly but at least distribute to a retail system of some sort which in the U.S. is predominantly BH, Adorama, Abe's, Amazon and Pentax Imaging. Those probably account for 99% of the retail of Pentax bodies and lenses in the U.S. at present.

Blue · 07-02-2011, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

Are the same people who engaged in wailing and gnashing of teeth back when Hoya bought Pentax the same people who are engaging in wailing and gnashing of teeth now that Hoya is selling Pentax? Inquiring minds want to know.

Anytime a company of this type changes hands, it is wise to pay attention to the outcome. While the Pentax legacy is there, it is a different company than it was 25 years ago as is Ricoh. I don't even think I commented on the Hoya merger other than I wondered how that would effect Pentax (in a positive way) about access to glass blanks for special lens development. To be honest, I am surprised Samsung did not end up with Pentax.

07-02-2011, 04:31 AM	#1
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	What made Hoya sell Pentax? Just 3 years old acquisition and in this period Pentax brand has really picked up against competition with k-x & later k-5 success. So what made Hoya sell Pentax?

07-02-2011, 04:37 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	They never really wanted them that badly- from what I read, all they were after were some patents. Furthermore, the CEO got yelled at for spending so much on the acquisition ($1b as far as I remember), and he was told that this was a "mistake". Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

07-02-2011, 05:20 AM - 1 Like	#6
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	Originally posted by reeftool No surprise really. The Wikipedia info on Hoya should pretty much explain why. Hoya Corporation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Yeah, thats what I thought too. If you want your picture taken by a HOYA-PENTAX, bend over. And hope that they kept the diminutive limited model. Personally, I will try to stay in the RICOH-PENTAX market. Last edited by mikemike; 07-02-2011 at 05:27 AM.

07-02-2011, 02:27 PM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by jeffkrol doubt if cash or credit is out of reach. Japanese banks are still running close to zero interest I believe (haven't checked in awhile). Ricoh Company, Ltd. Date of Establishment February 6, 1936 Head Office Ricoh Building, 8-13-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8222 Japan Map Representative Directors Shiro Kondo President and CEO Zenji Miura Deputy president, CSO, CFO and CIO The board Capitalization 135.3 billion yen (as of March 31, 2011) Consolidated Net Sales 1,942.0 billion yen (Year ended March 31, 2011) Number of Consolidated Campanies 234 companies (as of March 31, 2011) Main Business <Imaging and Solutions> [Imaging Solutions] Digital/analog copiers, MFPs (multifunction printers), laser printers, facsimile machines, digital duplicators, related supplies and services, related softwares. [Network System Solutions] PCs, servers, and related services, support and supplies. <Industrial Products> Thermal media, optical equipments, semiconductors, electronic components and measuring equipment. <Other> Digital cameras, etc. Number of Employees 109,014 (on consolidated basis, as of March 31, 2011) http://www.ricoh.com/about/company/data/corporate_profile/ricoh_2010_en.pdf Well, I know about the History of Ricoh and most of the Japanese and German Companies and the founding date doesn't mean much. Originally posted by jeffkrol Hoya doesn't do retail.. at least not well... The "Hoya" filters are really a sham, It's hoya glass and maybe a tiny bit of R&D but mostly 3rd party assembly/distribution ect. Hoya's core philosophy is to be a big fish in a small pond.. Cameras DO NOT fit that philosophy. Only credit I give hoya is (I assume mostly cultural since collapsing Pentax camera would be a black eye to their history. An oddity for an american company, sop for Japanese apparently. western businessmen, don't think about it too much ) the fact they didn't fold it hours after acquiring what they wanted........... tokina/hoya/Pentax/kenko are interwoven in cultural ways not easily understood by "western" business philosophy. I regard Hoya from the optical side of things as a provider of optical glass raw materials and blanks. As far as retail, no one really expects them to do retail directly but at least distribute to a retail system of some sort which in the U.S. is predominantly BH, Adorama, Abe's, Amazon and Pentax Imaging. Those probably account for 99% of the retail of Pentax bodies and lenses in the U.S. at present. Last edited by Blue; 07-02-2011 at 02:37 PM.

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07-02-2011, 05:01 AM	#3
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by Adam They never really wanted them that badly- from what I read, all they were after were some patents. Furthermore, the CEO got yelled at for spending so much on the acquisition ($1b as far as I remember), and he was told that this was a "mistake". That pretty much sums it up Yeah, from all accounts Hoya primarily acquired Pentax for the medical imaging division and related patents. I believe they always intended to sell off the camera division at some point. That point seems to be now

07-02-2011, 05:13 AM	#4
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	IIRC, their motivation for buying pentax was for the medical imaging stuff. I believe that Hoya retained that and pushed off the consumer oriented cameras to Ricoh.

07-02-2011, 05:14 AM	#5
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	No surprise really. The Wikipedia info on Hoya should pretty much explain why. Hoya Corporation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

07-02-2011, 05:23 AM	#7
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Hoya have no expertise in digital camera development and manufatcure....

07-02-2011, 05:28 AM	#8
Pablom Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Usa Posts: 1,940	I think the medical division is pretty big and profitable, much more than the camera business, and they didn't sell it

07-02-2011, 07:42 AM	#9
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	It was technically a merger and know Hoya is having to split out the part they want to divest into a second company. I think all the so-call yelling that Hoya did over spending too much was just High Japanese Drama to set the current stage so they don't come off looking like corporate raiders. Lastly, it isn't a done deal. It will be interesting to see if Ricoh has the $124 million or just enough for a cup of coffee. By Oct 1, Ricoh maybe taken over by Holga.

07-02-2011, 12:54 PM	#10
jeffkrol Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wisconsin USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,434	Hoya doesn't do retail.. at least not well... The "Hoya" filters are really a sham, It's hoya glass and maybe a tiny bit of R&D but mostly 3rd party assembly/distribution ect. Hoya's core philosophy is to be a big fish in a small pond.. Cameras DO NOT fit that philosophy. Only credit I give hoya is (I assume mostly cultural since collapsing Pentax camera would be a black eye to their history. An oddity for an american company, sop for Japanese apparently. western businessmen, don't think about it too much ) the fact they didn't fold it hours after acquiring what they wanted........... tokina/hoya/Pentax/kenko are interwoven in cultural ways not easily understood by "western" business philosophy.

07-02-2011, 12:57 PM	#11
jeffkrol Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wisconsin USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,434	Originally posted by Blue Lastly, it isn't a done deal. It will be interesting to see if Ricoh has the $124 million or just enough for a cup of coffee. By Oct 1, Ricoh maybe taken over by Holga. doubt if cash or credit is out of reach. Japanese banks are still running close to zero interest I believe (haven't checked in awhile). Ricoh Company, Ltd. Date of Establishment February 6, 1936 Head Office Ricoh Building, 8-13-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8222 Japan Map Representative Directors Shiro Kondo President and CEO Zenji Miura Deputy president, CSO, CFO and CIO The board Capitalization 135.3 billion yen (as of March 31, 2011) Consolidated Net Sales 1,942.0 billion yen (Year ended March 31, 2011) Number of Consolidated Campanies 234 companies (as of March 31, 2011) Main Business <Imaging and Solutions> [Imaging Solutions] Digital/analog copiers, MFPs (multifunction printers), laser printers, facsimile machines, digital duplicators, related supplies and services, related softwares. [Network System Solutions] PCs, servers, and related services, support and supplies. <Industrial Products> Thermal media, optical equipments, semiconductors, electronic components and measuring equipment. <Other> Digital cameras, etc. Number of Employees 109,014 (on consolidated basis, as of March 31, 2011) http://www.ricoh.com/about/company/data/corporate_profile/ricoh_2010_en.pdf

07-02-2011, 01:20 PM	#12
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Are the same people who engaged in wailing and gnashing of teeth back when Hoya bought Pentax the same people who are engaging in wailing and gnashing of teeth now that Hoya is selling Pentax? Inquiring minds want to know.

07-02-2011, 02:24 PM	#13
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	Originally posted by Pablom I think the medical division is pretty big and profitable, much more than the camera business, and they didn't sell it I'm a physician. You would not believe how inflated prices are for anything that is used for medical purposes, which means that profits are enormous. Even taking into account the costs of development, the prices are obscene. That is why Hoya was more interested in Pentax Medical than Pentax Imaging. Rob

07-02-2011, 02:32 PM	#15
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Mike Cash Are the same people who engaged in wailing and gnashing of teeth back when Hoya bought Pentax the same people who are engaging in wailing and gnashing of teeth now that Hoya is selling Pentax? Inquiring minds want to know. Anytime a company of this type changes hands, it is wise to pay attention to the outcome. While the Pentax legacy is there, it is a different company than it was 25 years ago as is Ricoh. I don't even think I commented on the Hoya merger other than I wondered how that would effect Pentax (in a positive way) about access to glass blanks for special lens development. To be honest, I am surprised Samsung did not end up with Pentax.