HP Plans to Trim Back Printer Business

Hewlett-Packard is planning to reorganize its printer business, dropping from five units to three in an effort to be more efficient.

The Wall Street Journal has reported (and other sources confirm) tech giant Hewlett-Packard is planning to reorganize its printer business, downsizing from five units to three in an effort to achieve more operational efficiency. The changes will consolidate the company’s laser printer and commercial printer units, merge the inkjet printer unit with consumer supplies, and install a new head for its graphics unit.

HP told employees the changes will not involve any large-scale layoffs, but the company has already cut hundreds of printing-related positions in its Idaho, Washington, and Oregon facilities.

HP’s printer business has been a reliable source of profits for the company, but the threat of a “paperless office” may finally be catching up with the technology, as email, the Internet, and online collaboration systems slowly eat into the amount of printing performed by businesses and individuals.