Pentax Company Name Change

Effective August 1, 2013 Pentax Ricoh Imaging company will be changing their name to Ricoh Imaging Company. Here’s what the official press release said:

Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company was formed October 1, 2011 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd. to provide more consumer–oriented offerings to the market.

The company’s goal is to leverage the tremendous strength and awareness of the Ricoh brand along with the superior technical innovation of Pentax products to deliver a world- class consumer experience.

Both PENTAX and RICOH products will remain in the market to reinforce the company’s commitment to the business.

This really is a return to “normal”. For many, many years various companies have owned the Pentax trademark and made cameras under that name. In my youth I remember always using Asahi Pentax cameras and lenses, not just Pentax.