Noritsu

Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. (ノーリツ鋼機株式会社, Nōritsu Kōki Kabushiki-gaisha, lit., "Efficient Steel Machine") is a photo processing machine manufacturer based in Tokyo, Japan. In Japan it also makes and sells other products such as brush pen tips. It is the owner of AlphaTheta Corporation which owns the Pioneer DJ brand.

Noritsu
Native name
ノーリツ鋼機株式会社
Nōritsu Kōki Kabushiki-gaisha
KK
Traded asTYO: 7744
IndustryElectronics
FoundedJune 1951
Headquarters
Tokyo
,
Japan
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Hirotsugu Nishimoto (CEO)
Total equity¥7,025,302,000
Websitenoritsu.co.jp

Products

The first minilab, the QSS-1 (Quick Service System 1) was introduced by Noritsu in 1976. In 1979 Noritsu released the QSS-2, which for the first time allowed for photo processing, from film development to color printing in just 45 minutes. In 2002 Noritsu introduced the first dry minilab, using Epson's seven color inkjet piezoelectric printing head. It was significantly cheaper than its "wet" silver halide counterparts.[1]

Noritsu printer-paper processors (called minilabs) are typically designated a model number beginning with "QSS" followed by a number which increases with each new model. As of August, 2019, the newest Noritsu minilab are the wet silver halide QSS 39 series, introduced in 2018.[2] Noritsu film processors for both C-41 negative and E-6 slide films are typically designated QSF, followed by a letter/number combination.

Noritsu does not produce consumer photographic products such as film, photographic paper, and chemicals. Because of this, Noritsu works with Eastman Kodak, which produces film, photographic paper and chemicals, but not photofinishing equipment. Some Noritsu models have been re-branded and sold by Kodak as their own equipment. More recently, Noritsu has sold their digital minilabs under their own name, but with Kodak's software (called DLS for Digital Lab System) providing image processing and a user interface, rather than Noritsu's own software. Noritsu sold and supported Kodak's "Picture Maker" kiosks when they were first introduced in the mid-1990s. Noritsu equipment works with different brands paper and chemicals including Kodak, Fujifilm, and Trebla.

Noritsu printer-paper processors are designed for color photographic prints but can be modified to print black and white.

Although Noritsu has typically produced minilabs that utilize traditional silver halide papers and photographic exposure systems, inkjet printing systems in partnership with Epson have been added to the product line since 2003. Noritsu refers to them as "digital dry printers".

In March 2006, Noritsu and Fuji announced a strategic alliance for Noritsu to manufactures all of Fuji's photofinishing hardware. Each company produces its own software.[3]

In April 2020, Noritsu bought AlphaTheta Corporation, owner of Pioneer DJ.[4][5]

North American subsidiary

Noritsu America Corporation is the North American company that sells, distributes and repairs photo-processing machines designed and manufactured by Noritsu Koki.[6] Founded in 1978, the American company has a dedicated sales, technical-support, and field-support staff based in Buena Park, California and supports operations across the U.S. and Canada. Since 2010, Noritsu America has been expanding its product and service offerings to include new, non-photo businesses, including technical service, Pharmacy Automation, and Medical Imaging.

Noritsu America Divisions

Noritsu America currently supports four divisions servicing various markets in both the U.S. and Canada.

Noritsu Photo and Commercial Printer supports the sales and service of photo processing systems, both traditional silver halide and inkjet.

Noritsu Technical Service handles on-site support for Noritsu systems as well as support for a variety of other manufacturers equipment in the ophthalmic and x-ray fields.

Noritsu Pharmacy Automation carries an array of pharmacy automation robots, specializing in strip pouch packaging and medication detection systems for use in off-site pharmacies.

Noritsu Medical Imaging provide sales and service of x-ray and medical imaging equipment for both doctor and veterinary use.

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References
  1. "Minilab Evolution: Smaller, Faster and Better". April 30, 2020.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2020-08-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Do Fuji and Noritsu Look Alike? Reason: They Really Are (Well, Almost)". Imaginginfo.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  4. "AlphaTheta Corporation parent company change in April 2020 - News - Pioneer DJ News". Pioneer DJ.
  5. "Noritsu Koki Acquires AlphaTheta Corp., Formerly PioneerDJ | CdrInfo.com". www.cdrinfo.com. Archived from the original on 2020-03-05. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  6. U.S. Patent 6,554,388, col. 1
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