Rank Xerox
 |
 | |
| Industry | Office equipment |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1956 |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Fate | Acquired |
| Successor | Xerox |
| Parent | Xerox Corp., The Rank Organisation |
Rank Xerox was formed in 1956 as a joint venture between the Xerox Corporation of U.S. (aka Haloid Photographic) and the Rank Organisation of UK, to manufacture and market Xerox equipment initially in Europe and later in Africa and Asia. A further joint venture between Rank Xerox and Modi Group in India formed Modi Xerox (now Xerox India) to manufacture and sell Xerox equipment in the Indian subcontinent.
The initial joint venture was 50% Xerox and 50% Rank Organisation, but this changed after a few years to a 60/40 split. Later, Xerox bought a further share making the split 80/20, and in the late 1990s, completed the purchase, so Rank Xerox formally became Xerox.
In 1976, Rank Xerox under David Leadbetter, initiated a unique marketing concept to take xerographic products behind the Iron Curtain, which was implemented by Ralph Land CBE, General Manager of Rank Xerox Eastern Europe Operations (1976-91). Commissioning London based designer Cairnes Maltby, the latter came up firstly with a train unit comprising five cars. These contained staff accommodations, a kitchen, overnight staff sleeping cabins and a demonstration salon and bar. Pulled by engines of the various countries of the Soviet Bloc, the train reached Russia and a welcome market. The following year Cairnes Design Associates produced the Rank Xerox truck, a mobile exhibition with fold down doors and add on canopied wings. Unlike the train it was capable of reaching the small to medium size cities of the Soviet Bloc. Both train and truck avoided the problems that affected western firms trying to establish a presence in the East.
During the 80's the managing director Roland E. Magnin helped the company to become the international arm of Xerox Corporation. He then moved to the corporation's headquarters in Connecticut where he was responsible for the decentralization program of the company as one of its top directors.
Awards
- Rank Xerox was the first winner of the European Quality Award in 1992.
- Rank Xerox was the first sponsor of Southampton F.C. from 1980 until 1983.
- Rank Xerox was the first sponsor of Hull Kingston Rovers in 1983.
See also
- The comic character RanXerox, initially named after a Rank Xerox photocopier.