RICOH POWERS AHEAD, DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM SPORTS

Kuala Lumpur, 26 May 2014 – Business and sports have uncanny parallels. Perhaps no organisation has understood this better than Ricoh (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. who has powered through the years in its own business by infusing sporting principles and associating with key sporting events such as the recent BMW Malaysian Open 2014 and Maybank Malaysian Open 2014.

Visitors at the BMW Malaysian Open 2014 Ricoh (booth), unleashing their creativity and imagination on the special Ricoh KAMI paper.

“In sports, as in business, precision is key, as is teamwork, determination, passion and the desire to succeed. In this competitive environment, it is important to always bring out your ’A’ game to stay on top,” said Peter Wee, Chief Operating Officer of Ricoh (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

Visitors attentively watching their creation come to life on the screen after their drawings have been scanned through the Ricoh Multi-Function Copier at the Ricoh KAMI Racer Challenge corner at the BMW Malaysian Open 2014.

With the current digital revolution, competition across all industries is rife. However, companies today can find confidence and assurance in improving productivity and cost efficiency by relying on credible partners to remain competitive in the business. Ricoh, for example, is able to help companies achieve that by being a total office, IT and business solutions provider.

Visitors putting their precision and accuracy skills to the test at the Ricoh Rally Challenge at the BMW Malaysian Open 2014.

“We recognise the need to evolve to not only supplement change, but to anticipate it in advance in order to fulfil our mission in enhancing user experience, as well as to increase workflow and productivity through all platforms available,” said Mr. Wee. “Such can be seen in our IT solutions and Managed Document Services (MDS) that all work within a strategic infrastructure by optimising information and providing a seamless transaction between communication, document processes and managing change all through an integrated cloud system”.

Ricoh model with the Ricoh Multi-Function Copier that brought drawings to life at the BMW Malaysian Open 2014.

“We also continuously introduce more products, services, and solutions to offer truly holistic communications systems and surveillance solutions. This year, we will aggressively introduce the company’s new line of products such as the Interactive Whiteboard (IWB), the Unified Communication Systems (UCS) series, as well as our new and improved Ultra Short Throw Projector. These products are poised to set the benchmark in a new age of visual communication, transfer of information, networking and more – essentially saving time and cost,” he added.

A Ricoh staff demonstrating the use of the Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) at the BMW Malaysian Open 2014 (Ricoh booth).

At the recent sporting events, Ricoh was seen providing guests with first hand insights on its up and coming products and services. For entertainment, visitors enjoyed the Ricoh KAMI Racer Challenge Game at the BMW Malaysian Open 2014; Guests were encouraged to unleash creativity in designing a character of their own which was then brought to life through a Ricoh Multi-Function Copier. Meanwhile, at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2014, the thrilling indoor golf simulator was a hit amongst guests aiming to win an exclusive all-expense paid trip to the UK for the prestigious Ricoh Women’s British Open 2014.

A Ricoh guest having a go at the golf simulator challenge at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2014.

“Our support for sporting events will continue for years to come – it is a perfect platform to build relationships, share knowledge and bring together innovation and competitiveness in a positive light. Much like our brand tagline, ‘Imagine. Change’, we will ‘imagine’ and create innovative technology and services to bring great ‘change’ to your business – making Ricoh your key business partner,” Mr. Wee commented.

Mr. Peter Wee, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ricoh (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. explaining Ricoh’s business plans.

For more information, visit Ricoh Malaysia’s website at http://www.ricoh.com.my or get updates from their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RicohMalaysiaOfficial.

Mr. Peter Wee, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ricoh (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

BMW Group Malaysia Invites Facebook Fans to be part of the BMW World of Joy.

Premium carmaker introduces New Facebook App for fans to share their moments of joy.

“Innovation is our backbone, but joy is our heart” - this is a quote from the BMW Group’s Story of Joy, the premium carmaker’s ultimate brand value and expression that distinguishes itself in the automotive premium segment.

BMW Group Malaysia is inviting all Facebook fans to join them in an interactive world of joy via its latest Facebook App – The BMW World of Joy.

Fans are invited to submit photos or quotes reflecting their special moments of joy via the app available at www.facebook.com/BMW.Malaysia from today until March 2nd, 2013. Participants can also view submissions from other contestants and vote for their favourites. BMW Group Malaysia will then select the best submissions based on likes and creativity. Winning entries will be displayed at selected BMW Authorised Dealerships across the country and also be featured in their advertising campaigns throughout the year.

Winners will also receive exclusive merchandise from the BMW Lifestyle Collection.

For more information on how you can share your story of joy, please visit www.facebook.com/BMW.Malaysia.

BMW Group partners the Tate Modern in London in World’s First Live Artistic Program

BMW Tate Live: Performance Room, the World’s First Live Online Performance to reach viewers worldwide

Cyberjaya, 28 February 2012 – The BMW Group and the Tate Modern in London have revealed the first five international artists that have been commissioned for the BMW Tate Live: Performance Room – a pioneering arts program of live online performances that will reach international audiences across multiple time zones.

The first of a kind arts program will feature Choreographer and dancer Jérôme Bel, artists Pablo Bronstein, Harrel Fletcher, Joan Jonas and Emily Roysdon who will each present live works for the BMW Tate Live Performance Room from the month of March to September. The performances will take place each month within the Tate Modern and will be filmed as it happens for live online broadcasts around the world. The performances will be followed with an online question and answer session with the artist or curator involved.

Introducing the world’s first program of its kind, Dr. Uwe Ellinghaus, Director Brand Steering, Brand Management BMW and Marketing Services said, “BMW and the Tate Modern is a match made in heaven. In 2012, the BMW Group will celebrate over 40 years of international cultural commitment. Announcing this extensive cooperation with Tate Modern, we at BMW give a clear signal - we will continue to engage in manifold cultural projects worldwide.”

Dr. Ellinghaus added that the transnational program that has been brought into being with this trendsetting institution proves once more that for the BMW Group, intercultural dialogue is not only desirable, but also provides the basic concept for an internationally successful company. I am personally excited that we are intensifying this dialogue in London with the BMW Tate Live and thus promoting it throughout the world.

Echoing Dr. Ellinghaus’ sentiments, Chris Dercon, Director of the Tate Modern said, “I am delighted that we will partner with BMW on this important new initiative. Not only is Tate’s program and Collection becoming increasingly international, so is our audience, and we need to work to find new ways to present our program to audiences via new channels. The development of technology has transformed people’s approach to art. Audiences today expect more interaction, participation and personalisation than ever before. The BMW Tate Live will answer this need and will bring live art performance directly to people on the web, wherever they are in the world.”

Catherine Wood, Curator, Contemporary Art and Performance of the Tate Modern, meanwhile, said, “The way in which the artists will use the format and the extent to which they will use the reciprocal capacities of technology in the BMW Tate Live: Performance Rooms will be an exciting part of the experimental nature of the series. We are keen to see how artists might experiment with the intimacy and theatricality of this space while reflecting upon how virtual communications have become an integral part of our lives today. This project will hopefully extend our idea of what an exhibition space is and can be.”

Explaining the relevance of the BMW Tate Live for audiences in Malaysia, Sashi Ambi, Corporate Communications Manager, BMW Group Malaysia said, “Cultural commitment is essential to the BMW Group. We have demonstrated this commitment here with the BMW Shorties – an original, Malaysian grown initiative to identify, cultivate and support budding talent in the Malaysian film making community as well as our support for The Steinway Malaysian Youth Piano competition. In a similar manner, the BMW Tate Live collaboration enables us to showcase our commitment to cultural initiatives on a global level.”

Ambi added that members of the public in Malaysia who would like to view the live performances were invited to enter the online Performance Room via www.tate.org.uk/bmwtatelive with performances scheduled according to the dates and time below:

Friday, 23 March, 04.00 Malaysian Time –#1: Jérôme Bel

French choreographer and dancer Jérôme Bel will inaugurate the BMW Tate Live Performance Room with a new work that is a twist on his 1997 performance Shirtology and which will emphasise and play with the Performance Room format. The work will feature one performer and a collection of T-shirts that are changed and removed to display different messages. Bel’s work explores the relationship between choreography and popular culture; and dancer and spectator, often using humour as a device to break the usual formality of a theatre setting.

Friday, 27 April, 03.00 Malaysia Time – #2: Pablo Bronstein

Argentinean born, Pablo Bronstein, uses architectural design and drawing to engage with the grandiose and imperial past of the built environment. This preoccupation with form extends into his live work, for example, for the 2006 Tate Triennial he blended the regimented patterns of baroque dance with the minimalist choreography of the 1960s. He will work with up to 10 dancers to create a baroque trompe l'œil stage set that exaggerates the perspective within the Performance Room.

Friday, 1June 03.00 Malaysia Time – #3: Emily Roysdon

American artist and writer, Emily Roysdon, explores the intersection of choreography and political action through performance, photographic installations, print making, text, video, curating and collaborating. She recently developed the concept ‘ecstatic resistance’ to address the impossible and imaginary in politics.

Friday, 29 June, 03.00 Malaysia Time – #4: Harrell Fletcher

Fletcher’s work often takes the form of socially engaged collaborative and interdisciplinary projects including, with Miranda July, Learning To Love You More, an audience participatory website where visitors responded to assignments like “make an encouraging banner” or “make a neighbourhood field recording” with uploaded photos, film and text. For BMW Tate Live he will work with local amateur performers who ordinarily would not be seen by the Performance Room’s global audience.

TBC. 03.00 Malaysia Time - #5: Joan Jonas

Since the 1960s, Jonas has been a major figure at the forefront of explorations in film and performance, transcending genres to develop an influential practice rooted in space, movement and gesture. Her early work featured herself as alter-ego, Organic Honey and she has often developed narratives based on fairytales and folklore.

Viewers and art enthusiasts will also be able to interact with the artists, curator as well as other viewers via the Tate’s social media channels - twitter.com/tate; facebook.com/tategallery; youtube.com/tate and the Twitter hashtag #BMWTateLive during the performances.

BMW Introduces the All New BMW 5 Series with New BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology Engines in Malaysia.

New and efficient four cylinder petrol engines now to feature in the new BMW 520i and BMW 528i M Sport.

Kuala Lumpur, 5th January 2012 – After setting another record performance for the year 2011, BMW Group Malaysia moves into 2012 with new variants for the BMW 5 Series featuring BMW’s latest four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.

The new engines which feature BMW’s latest two-litre turbo units with twin-scroll turbocharging, VALVETRONIC variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control now power the all new BMW 520i and the new BMW 528i M Sport which boasts higher power output with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, keeping true to the promise of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics strategy of efficiency with enhanced driving pleasure.Mr. Geoffrey Briscoe, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia in introducing the car said, “The introduction of our new four-cylinder engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engines further extends the BMW 5 Series’ success as the award-winning range of premium executive sedans here in the country. The new engines will not only see the return of the BMW 520i as the base variant, but will also see an enhanced BMW 528i M Sport which will reinforce our ambition in efficiency and sustainability.”

At the heart of the new BMW 520i is an all-new two litre, four-cylinder petrol power unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology capable of churning out 135kW/ 184 horsepower. The new BMW 5 Series variant is able to achieve an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.0 seconds with a top speed of 226 km/h. In spite of this high performance reading, the premium executive sedan only consumes 6.4 litres per 100km and emits only 149 grams per kilometre of CO2, making the BMW 520i the best in its class in terms of fuel consumption and emissions.
The BMW 528i M Sport, meanwhile, comes with the new BMW TwinPower Turbo technology powerplant that delivers 180kW with 245 horsepower. With this new four-cylinder turbo engine, the car is able to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.3 seconds with a top speed of 250km/h. Even with the improved power, the technology has also proven its capability in maintaining its average fuel consumption of only 6.8 litres per 100km and with a CO2 emissions rating of only 158 grams per kilometre.

The new variants of the All New BMW 5 Series is also complemented with the improved BMW 520d Sedan which delivers 135kW / 184 horsepower. The leading Advanced Diesel premium executive sedan marks sensational performance and efficiency figures – accelerating from 0 to 100km/h in just 8.1 seconds with the ability of reaching a top speed of 225km/h whilst only consuming an average of just 4.7 litres per 100km of fuel and emitting only 123 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
Like all modern BMW vehicles, the new variants of the new BMW 5 Series also highlight a host of BMW EfficientDynamics innovations such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Electromechanical Steering and 8-speed automatic transmission as standard. However, in taking a bolder step forward in the pursuit of efficiency and enhanced driving pleasure, all cars now also feature the Auto Start/ Stop function, making the BMW 5 Series the only vehicle in its segment to feature the technology.

Additionally, all the new variant entries also reflect upgraded equipment in its Driving Experience Control – the button located on the centre console which enables the driver to adjust mode settings for the vehicle’s accelerator, engine, steering, transmission, suspension system and traction control. The modes available include COMFORT+, COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and for the first time, ECO PRO mode as standard.

ECO PRO mode enables the driver to learn more fuel-efficient driving techniques in a rather playful manner. When the driver selects the ECO PRO mode, the BMW vehicle automatically optimises its drivetrain, heating and air conditioning strategy, as well as other electric comfort functions. In addition to this, ECO PRO tips are also displayed and suggested to the driver for even further reduction in the fuel consumption and the fuel saved compared to normal driving is displayed as bonus kilometres added to the vehicle’s range. Driving in ECO PRO mode can help the driver to achieve fuel saving of up to 20 per cent, depending on their individual style of driving.

With BMW ConnectedDrive, BMW’s second innovation strategy, owners are able to enjoy complete USB connectivity and bluetooth hands free functions, as well as considerably expanded functionality for mobile phones and portable music players in the new BMW 5 Series variants. Owners are also able to access a host of safety and infotainment functions such as BMW TeleServices and the optional BMW Telematics Platform Accessory (TPA), which includes an emergency Vehicle Recovery System as well as other BMW Assist remote services.

With over 70 international awards already garnered for the Sixth Generation BMW 5 Series including the “Red Dot Design award”, the “2010 GOOD DESIGN Award”, the “iF Product Design Award”, the title of “Germany’s Favourite Car”, “Car of the Year” awards in UK and numerous other countries, as well as best-in-class results in the European, US-American, and Australian NCAP crash tests; the all new BMW 5 Series is also a multi award winner here in Malaysia, having won the Luxury Sedan and Premium Executive Sedan awards at the 2011 Car of the Year Awards for Autocar ASEAN magazine and Live Life Drive – Wheels Weekly magazine respectively.

The new BMW 520i, BMW 528i M Sport and the BMW 520d are also covered by BMW’s extensive service program, BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI) which covers the normal wear and tear repairs or replacements as well as maintenance, service and repair of factory components of the vehicle. The service program offers peace of mind BMW ownership and provides cover from three years from its original registration date or 60,000KM, which ever comes first.

The retail price for the all New BMW 5 Series variants (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service Inclusive + Repair (BS+RI) is as below:

• The BMW 520i - RM 358,800.00

• The BMW 528i M Sport - RM 409,800.00

• The BMW 520d - RM 333,800.00