Ricoh has reportedly sent out an email to customers informing them that they’re shutting down their EU website at Ricoh-Imaging.eu on September 5th. It seems that the singular all-encompassing website is to be replaced by a number of brand-specific websites. This will allow them to target each specific demographic rather than having a single catch-all website for all their customers across all sectors.

According to the email sent out by Pentax, they “are currently creating new exciting websites for you. Our new websites will be brand oriented and will therefore have greater value for you. The first website will be opening soon” but some users fear that this may be Ricoh’s plan to split off Pentax to make it easier to sell off. Whatever the ultimate goal, existing Ricoh customers (in all markets) need to pay attention.

It appears that this may simply be a continuation of the restructuring started by Ricoh Japan in January. At that time, the restructuring of the Ricoh brand into separate brands only applied to Ricoh Japan. Ricoh USA also came out to clarify that the restructuring did not apply to Ricoh throughout the rest of the world. Now, however, it seems that at least Europe is following suit, even if Ricoh USA has not yet made an announcement along similar lines.

I’m going to remain positive and assume Ricoh’s motives in separating the brands onto their own individual websites is to be able to play on their strengths without the distraction of the other products they make. A way to better serve customers for each brand. After all, I expect most of the Ricoh Theta customers aren’t too terribly interested in Pentax DSLRs.

But all is not rainbows and unicorns. Users in the Pentax Forums say they were advised that they should download all of their invoices before the site disappears on September 5th, because user accounts will not be transferred over to the new websites. This means that all online invoices and details will be gone. Getman photography magazine Foto Hits also warns of this eventuality on their website, with some instructions on how to ensure you get your invoices and other data before it disappears for good.

1. You should register with your own account by September 5, 2022
2. Click the Switch My Account button
3. From there, go to My Orders and click View Orders
4. Click on the invoice(s).
5. Click Print Invoice(s) to download

So, if you’ve got an account on the Ricoh Europe website, be sure to download and print all of your invoices and data now so that you’ve got a record of them. Especially if you’re warranty hasn’t yet run out!

[via Pentax Rumors]