Following on from Olympus' previous announcement that they intend to sell the Imaging Business to JIP investments, Olympus has now signed a definitive agreement, with more details revealed. Olympus will transfer 95% of the shares of a new imaging company to JIP on January 1, 2021, creating a new company called OM Digital Solutions Corporation. Olympus will retain a 5% share in the new company.

The new company will continue with existing brands including OM-D, PEN, and ZUIKO, and will utilise the Olympus brand for a certain period.

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Olympus Agreed on Transfer of Imaging Business with JIP

Statement from Olympus: 01 Oct 2020:

Following on from the initial announcement in June, Olympus signed a Definitive Agreement on Sept 30th with Japan Industrial Partners, Inc. (JIP) regarding the transfer of the Olympus Imaging business meaning that the process can go on to the next stage.

Under the agreement, Olympus will transfer 95% of the shares of a new imaging company to JIP on January 1, 2021. The new company name, OM Digital Solutions Corporation, will honour the inspiring legacy of Yoshihisa Maitani and Olympus Maitani cameras. The New Imaging Company will continue with our existing brands, such as OM-D, PEN and ZUIKO, and will utilize the Olympus brand for a certain period.

The agreement includes all R&D and manufacturing facilities currently dedicated to the Imaging business. This will ensure that OM Digital Solutions will continue to provide high-quality products and cutting-edge innovations to our customers.

We are grateful to the entire Olympus community for their ongoing loyalty and support for our products and for their passion for photography. As we move towards our new future, we're looking forward to continuing our initiatives for photographers, and will launch all new products as planned.

For the full statement, visit: www.olympus-global.com/news/2020/nr01839.html

Ian Tolley takes over from Dave Ivins to lead Olympus UK into next chapter Southend.

In specific UK news, Ian Tolley today takes over the reins from Dave Ivins to run the Consumer Products Division (CPD) at Olympus UK.

Ian joined Olympus on the sales side in 2006, looking after key audio accounts before becoming National Sales Manager for cameras and latterly, Head of Consumer Business.

Having worked across the business and successfully managed a highly motivated sales team and key business partners, Ian is ideally placed to lead the whole team for the next chapter in the Olympus story in the UK. He comments:

“There are exciting times ahead with many opportunities as the Olympus range really starts to deliver to its core strengths especially for outdoor use, portability and wildlife to an increasingly expanding and appreciative customer base. I would like to thank Dave for handing over such a strong team and business” Ian Tolley

Dave leaves on a high with the UK/UIMEA region performing exceptionally well over the past challenging year. Since joining Olympus as a salesman in 2001 he quickly progressed through Sales Manager roles to running the UK operation as Director of Consumer Business along with responsibility for Middle East and Africa (MEA) countries and stints as Regional Manager for the Nordics along the way.

He successfully oversaw the transition from a primarily high volume compact camera business in the peak years of the digital market to a higher value, high end product strategy. Dave’s track record of ensuring that the UIMEA was always one of the best performing regions will be a tough act to follow. He is taking a well-earned break before taking on a new challenge.