Partnering in the drive for growth
If I had to sum up the recent KDZA Partner Conference (13-14 May 2025) in one sentence, it would be this: We’ve reignited momentum, and we’re enabling the channel to win.
The energy in the room over the two days was undeniable. From the deep dive into our FY26 objectives to the electric response to our new support tools and partner resources, one thing was clear, our partners are ready to grow, and so are we.
Our theme, Partnering in the Drive for Growth, isn't just a slogan, it’s a strategy rooted in action. The addition of more line items to our support pricing, the renewed focus on original consumables, and the expansion of our education and government support programmes are all practical tools to help partners grow faster and smarter.
We also heard an honest reflection on where we stand in the market today. We don’t hold the market share we once did and we’re reading this as an opportunity for growth and positive change. We know that growth won’t come from doing things the way we’ve always done them, which is why we’re modernising our Partner Programme, combining sales and service into a unified accreditation system, and making cloud-ready innovation and sustainability central to our product design.
From the soon to be launched MA2600ci and MZ7001ci series to enhanced cloud integration and security, we’re helping businesses digitise, cut costs, and reduce their environmental impact, all with Kyocera quality and reliability.
One of our core priorities in FY26 is to expand our geographical footprint. We’re actively identifying regions where our presence is underdeveloped and will focus on recruiting strong, strategic partners who can help us unlock new market potential. A bigger, better partner network can serve more customers, more effectively.
Our visitors from Europe offered a helpful perspective: in markets like the Nordics where hardware demand is shrinking, the pivot to solutions is not optional, it’s essential. That’s a lesson we’re applying locally with initiatives like Kyocera Cloud Capture (to still be launched), KCIM and KCPS taking centre stage in our digital transformation drive.
What moved me most was the sense of partnership in the room. The channel wants more collaboration, and we’re committed to showing up. This conference reminded me of something Kazuo Inamori once said: “The purpose of work is not just to produce goods, but to build character.” In that spirit, we continue to pursue fair profit, not at the expense of our values, but because of them.
I’m positive that we can hold onto this momentum, stay close, stay curious, and keep building a channel that’s fit for the future.
Paul Wendlandt - General Manager - KYOCERA Document Solutions SA
