Hewlett Packard (HP) has maintained a market share of producing laser jet printers since its debut in 1984. "Our policy at HP was to regard increased market share as a reward for doing things well" (Packard 2001). The quality and reliability of HP laser jet printers has earned product recognition amongst consumers and businesses alike.
             Earning this success with laser jet printers invites competition to capture the market segmentation HP acquired. Competitors such as: Epson, Canon and Lexmark attempted to compete with HP in the laser jet market –but without success.
             HP LaserJet printers are known to provide the highest quality text and images available today on the market. The wide variety of LaserJet printers available is designed to accommodate individual users as well as business of all sizes. The quality and price of different models depends on speed, resolution, and durability requirements of the users. Retail prices of HP LaserJet printers range from $200 to just under $4,000 for the all-in-one to the high capacity network printers.
             Hewlett Packard has manufacturing and distribution centers plants around the world. LaserJet printers are primarily made in Boise, Idaho for the US and Canadian market and in Sao Paulo, Brazil for the Latin America markets. These centers are design to produce the various models with country specific destinations. Printers designed for Europe have slightly different configurations than those designed for sale in the U.S., not to mention the power supply source is different as well. Each plant is responsible for connecting its product lines to the appropriate distribution channels for the various markets.
             HP distribution channels vary with respect as to how the printers will be made available to the end user. There are three primary distribution channels: retail outlets for low-end models, specialized distributors for all models and corporate purchasing channels...