TOKYO, April 9, 2003-Canon Inc. ("Canon") and Canon Sales Co., Inc. ("Canon Sales") announced that following a decision reached today by the Board of Directors of both companies, Canon and Canon Sales have entered into an agreement to transfer shares of Canon Software Inc. ("Canon Software"), a subsidiary of Canon, from Canon to Canon Sales.
Canon Software's operations focus on three basic business areas: the development of software for Canon products, including applications for peripheral products and control software; providing document solutions and other customer solutions in cooperation with Canon Sales; and the development, management and support of proprietary ERP, CRM and other business applications.
Through the transfer of Canon Software shares to Canon Sales, Canon Software will play a supporting role within the software-business operations of the Canon Sales Group. In addition to developing software for Canon products, Canon Software will reinforce and expand its operations targeting customer solutions, including solutions in cooperation with Canon Sales and providing the company's proprietary solutions.
The Canon Sales Group has been actively strengthening its IT services business, as reflected in the acquisition of all shares of Canon System Solutions Inc. (formerly Sumitomo Metal System Solutions Co. Ltd.) by Canon Sales on January 10 this year. As part of the Canon Sales Group, Canon Software will join Canon System Solutions Inc. and Canotec Co., Inc., which specializes in the field of network solutions, in further raising the enterprise value of the Group through the bolstering of IT services operations.
| (1) Name | Canon Software Inc. |
| (2) Representative | Akira Okada, President and Representative Director |
| (3) Location of headquarters | 3-9-7 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| (4) Date of incorporation | March 26, 1974 |
| (5) Business activities |
1. Developing software for business applications and for Canon products 2. Outsourcing services (clerical and accounting services for Group companies) 3. Developing and marketing of package software; marketing of hardware 4. Database, computer graphics and other IT software education services |
| (6) Fiscal year end | December 31 |
| (7) Number of employees | 752 (as of Dec. 31, 2002) |
| (8) Capital | Yen 1,348 million (as of Dec. 31, 2002) |
| (9) Total number of issued shares | 11,541,840 shares (as of Dec. 31, 2002) |
|
(10) Major shareholders and their share percentages |
Canon Sales Co., Inc. (38.53%); Canon Inc. (18.92%) (as of Dec. 31, 2002) |
| Capital | Canon owns 18.92% of Canon Software's outstanding shares |
| Personnel | One of Canon's directors also serves as a director for Canon Software |
| Business | 48.4% (7,154 million yen in FY 2002) of Canon Software's revenues are generated from business with Canon |
| Capital | Canon Sales owns 38.53% of Canon Software's outstanding shares |
| Personnel | One of Canon Sales' directors also serves as a director for Canon Software, and another of Canon Sales' directors also serves as a corporate auditor for Canon Software |
| Business | 20.4% (3,005 million yen in FY 2002) of Canon Software's revenues are generated from business with Canon Sales |
(unit: millions of yen)
| Fiscal year ending | December 2001 | December 2002 |
| Net sales | 14,820 | 14,770 |
| Operating profit | 316 | 465 |
| Ordinary profit | 396 | 530 |
| Net income | 152 | 310 |
| Combined assets | 7,119 | 7,632 |
| Stockholders' equity | 5,454 | 5,669 |
| (1) Name | Canon Inc. | |
| (2) Representative | Fujio Mitarai, President and CEO | |
| (3) Location of headquarters | 30-2 Shimomaruko 3-Chome, Ohta-ku, Tokyo | |
| (4) Date of incorporation | August 10, 1937 | |
| (5) Business activities |
1. Production and marketing of optical products; audio, electric and electronic products, precision products and medical equipment 2. Development and marketing of software 3. Provision of telecommunication, data processing and other information services |
|
| (6) Capital | Yen 167,242 million (as of Dec. 31, 2002) | |
| (7) Major shareholders and their share percentages |
The Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Company (6.72%); Japan Trustee Services Bank, Ltd. (Trust Account) (5.51%); The Master Trust Bank of Japan, Ltd. (Trust Account) (5.24%) (as of Dec. 31, 2002) |
|
| (8) Relationship with transferee | Capital | Canon owns 50.13% of Canon Sales' outstanding shares |
| Personnel | One of Canon's corporate auditors also serves as a corporate auditor for Canon Sales | |
| Business | 60.8% (280,410 million yen in FY 2002) of Canon Sales' amount of goods purchased is generated from business with Canon | |
(Transferee: Canon Sales)
| (1) Shares owned before transfer | 4,447,200 shares (ownership ratio: 38.53%) |
| (2) Number of shares to be acquired | 2,184,000 shares (value: 1,063 million yen) |
| (3) Shares owned after transfer | 6,631,200 shares (ownership ratio: 57.45%) |
| April 9, 2003: | Signing of share-transfer agreement |
| April 16, 2003 (tentative): | Transfer of shares |
The impact of the transfer on Canon and Canon Sales' consolidated business results is expected to be minimal.
