Canon Closes Printer Factory in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China

Canon has ceased production of laser printers and other products in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China. The company stated that due to market shrinkage and the rise of Chinese companies, continued operation was difficult. Production will be transferred to other factories, and some products will be discontinued.

Canon (Zhongshan) Office Equipment Co., Ltd. ceased operations on November 21. The factory was established in 2001. In 2012, it was moved to a new factory with expanded capacity, producing laser printers and laser multifunction printers.

As of the end of September 2025, the company will have approximately 1,400 employees. Canon will provide re-employment support.

In China, the widespread adoption of smartphones and online payments has led to a rapid increase in paperless office practices. Even government departments, where documents are indispensable, are showing a trend of prioritizing the purchase of products from domestic companies, making the business environment increasingly challenging for Japanese companies.

For Canon, printing-related products, including laser printers, are a profit pillar accounting for more than half of its sales. Against the backdrop of paperless office practices becoming a headwind, the company is focusing on expanding sales of digital printing machines to printing companies with greater growth potential.