News

KYOCERA MITA Earns "Highly Recommended" Ratings from Buyers Laboratory, Inc. for Digital Imaging Systems

KYOCERA MITA's KM-4530 and KM-5530 Receive Top Honors for Superior Performance, Reliability and Cost Savings

Fairfield, New Jersey -- December 11, 2002 -- Kyocera Mita, one of the world's leading document imaging companies, today announced that Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI), an independent research and product testing organization, has rated Kyocera Mita's KM-4530 and KM-5530 digital multi-functional devices "Highly Recommended," after a comprehensive three month evaluation.

BLI conducted a series of tests on both devices, including copy quality, print quality, ease of use, ease of maintenance, estimated waste, estimated downtime, misfeeds, total service calls and toner yield.

"Kyocera Mita's KM-4530 and KM-5530 performed extremely well during our three month evaluation. In fact the KM-4530 proved to be the most reliable segment 4 MFP tested in the past three years, completing its 262,500-impression test with no service calls of any kind and not even a single misfeed," said Daria Hoffman, managing editor at Buyers Laboratory Inc. "In addition, we found that the KM-5530 also offers strong reliability and both models offer ease of use, excellent multitasking, good output quality and class-leading economy, with very low per-page costs and aggressive pricing."

"The excitement generated by both, the KM-4530 and KM-5530 has surpassed all expectations, as both devices have been enormously successful with our dealers and their customers," said Tony Levi, director, product marketing at Kyocera Mita America. "The optional print and scan capabilities make both devices a real draw for this segment and this 'Highly Recommended' rating from Buyers Laboratory is a further testament to the quality of Kyocera Mita's product line."

The KM-4530 provides the user with a 45 page per minute output speed, while the KM-5530 provides 55 pages per minute output. The KM-4530 and KM-5530 are multi-functional digital devices that feature a large standard paper capacity of 3,700 sheets, duplexing, standard 20 GB multi-purpose hard drive, outstanding 1800 x 600 dpi copy output, optional network printing and scanning, barcode printing and tandem print or copy. Extensive list of finishing options includes edge and saddle-stitch, hole punch, folding and hardware mailbox.

The KM-4530 and KM-5530 include long-life components, an amorphous silicon drum and backed by a comprehensive warranty. This provides the customers with fewer unscheduled maintenance, increased up-time and increased productivity.

KM-4530 and KM-5530 Pricing and Availability:
The KM-4530 imaging system is available today and is priced at $13,470 (MSRP). The KM-5530 is also available and priced at $17,950 (MSRP).

Both units measure 27" (W) x 32" (D) x 45" (H) and weigh 417 lbs.

Contact your local Kyocera Mita dealer for information and pricing on optional hardware.

ABOUT KYOCERA MITA
Kyocera Mita is one of the world's largest manufacturers and leading providers of computer-connectable peripherals, including network-ready digital copiers/printers, laser printers, color copiers/printers, digital laser facsimiles, multi-functional and wide format imaging solutions. Kyocera Mita is part of Kyocera Corporation, the world's leading developer and manufacturer of advanced ceramics and associated products, including telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages and electronic components. Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net revenues totaled $7.78 billion during the year ended March 31, 2002. Kyocera Mita's headquarters for the Americas are in Fairfield, New Jersey.

For more information, visit http://www.kyoceramita.com.

ABOUT BUYERS LABORATORY INC:
Buyers Laboratory (BLI) has been testing office products since 1961, when it was founded by the late Arthur Kallet, the co-founder and 20-year head of Consumers Union, the publisher of the highly respected Consumer Reports magazine (BLI is not affiliated with Consumers Union). BLI's purpose has remained unchanged: to provide business consumers with impartial test reports, consulting and information services on office products to help them make the best possible purchasing decisions.

Over 40 years of independent, in-house testing: Buyers Laboratory does not accept advertising, is totally independent and performs unbiased, extensive hands-on testing of office products in its main 10,000-square-foot lab. In fact, each year over 100 different office products are tested, providing BLI's subscribers with the good and the bad on each product. Every comprehensive report offers an in-depth analysis of a product's reliability, ease of use, efficiency, cost factors, features, consumable yields, image quality and much more.

BLI's Custom Testing Division, which is housed in a 16,200 square-foot facility, provides clients with confidential testing services for hire. In these facilities, in addition to using industry-standard test methods and procedures, BLI's staff of engineers and test technicians can develop a test for virtually any product. Among the services offered by the CTD lab are: package testing, vibration/shock testing, furniture testing, simulated atmospheric and environmental conditions testing (high/low temperature, high/low humidity, thermal shock), office products beta testing, imaging supplies testing and paper testing.

For more information, visit http://www.buyerslab.com/bli/