Laser printer demand to surge in 2014

Shipments of commercial-use laser printers is set to hit 8.15 million in China this year as demand from manufacturing, financial and healthcare sectors surge, said IDC, a United States research company.

Nearly 40 percent of the newly shipped laser printers will be purchased by organizations operating in those sectors this year, said IDC, adding total shipments in 2014 will be more than 8 percent higher than for 2013.

"Small and mid-sized private companies are set to increase their presence in the manufacturing sector," said Wang Sha, senior analyst at IDC.

Government support for SMEs will also help the companies to get loans and expand productivity, according to Wang.

As both domestic and overseas banks continue to open new branches across China, the demand for printers is set to push the 2014 shipment growth to 10.2 percent compared to last year, said IDC.

Health organizations are also poised to see a higher than average demand for printers because of rapid development of community medical services, it added.