News that a R 300 000 Ricoh-recognised Service Centre is to be built at Rectron`s Midrand headquarters has drawn a sharp response from the Square One Solutions Group which has disputed Rectron`s claim to official Ricoh distributor status.
Steve Berryman, Square One`s joint managing director (Sales and Marketing) has gone on record questioning Rectron`s right to establish the centre in South Africa.
In response, Mark Lu, Rectron`s CEO, says that Ricoh has committed to help Rectron to set up an "optical device service centre", and agreements have been concluded with Ricoh`s Optical Department in Japan to this effect.
"I believe the misunderstanding in the marketplace centres on the ownership of the repair centre," says Lu.
"It is correct to say that the centre will be Rectron-owned, but that Ricoh will make a significant contribution to the start-up costs of the centre.
"In addition, it has already been agreed that the proposed centre`s infrastructure, including key service equipment, will be supplied by MET Technology a subsidiary of Ricoh Taiwan."
Lu has also reacted strongly to suggestions that Rectron may be "grey-marketing" Ricoh products in South Africa.
"Rectron is not grey-importing Ricoh products," stresses Lu. "We are officially authorized by Ricoh Taiwan through MET Technology and have documentation to support this position."
Lu adds that he has drawn Ricoh`s attention to the marketplace confusion in South Africa and is confident of its resolution by the imminent intervention of senior executives from both Ricoh Taiwan and Ricoh Europe.
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