Both parent companies recently announced an end to their production print partnership.

"Initiated by Konica Minolta, the joint development activities for cut-sheet monochrome and colour output systems for the production market have been stopped," Océ said in a statement. 

David Procter (pictured), national group and marketing manager for production printing at Konica Minolta Australia, told ProPrint the two companies will continue to sell OEM products under a revised agreement.

"As far as our OEM relationship goes, we will continue to sell each other's products," he said.

Both companies will also continue to supply consumables and parts, and offer after-sales service for products already in the market.

The termination of the R&D alliance was widely expected after Canon pounced on Océ. If the deal completes, it will create a digital juggernaut in competition with Konica Minolta.

Earlier this week, Océ chief executive Rokus Van Iperen urged shareholders to accept Canon's offer for the Dutch manufacturer, despite a new investor voicing its discontent at Canon's current bid for the company.

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