TOKYO, JAPAN—Ryobi Limited's graphic systems division has named six organizations that will comprise its newly formed continent-wide sales and technical group called Graphic Systems North America (GSNA).

The group includes two Canadian outfits, Montreal's KBR Graphics and Winnipeg's Canadian Printing Equipment, both of which have a history with Ryobi as dealers. The six companies combined boast annual revenues of over $60,000,000. Dubbed "Master Distributors," they will offer Ryobi's complete line of printing equipment both directly and through a 20-member network of authorized dealers.

GSNA will include over 50 technicians and parts-fulfillment professionals to support installations in North America, plus more than 30 sales reps.

The group members are: Print & Finishing Solutions in Placentia, CA (West); Ohio Graphco in Cleveland (Central); GE Richards in Landisville, PA (Northeast); Paper Handling Solutions based in Marietta, GA (Southeast); KBR Graphics in Montreal (Eastern Canada); and Winnipeg-based Canadian Printing Equipment (Western Canada).

"We enter this new relationship with the utmost respect for each of these firms and are confident this union will enhance Ryobi's fine reputations for quality, consistency and reliability in the highly-competitive North American printing machinery marketplace," said Hideki Domoto, general manager of Ryobi's graphic systems division, in a release.

Ryobi says the group's formation enables real-time technical support and parts distribution, with spare parts depots now up in three time zones. The company also announced a demonstration facility in Atlanta, where its latest machines will be on-hand for demos.