Is Xerox a Dying Company? Looking Beyond the Headlines

Submitted by Karla Metzler on
Zombie using a Xerox printer

If you've searched for office printers recently, you've probably come across comments suggesting that Xerox isn't what it used to be. Some people even ask whether the company is going out of business.

Xerox doesn't dominate technology headlines the way it did decades ago, and today's office printing market looks very different from what it was 40 years ago. Businesses print fewer pages than they once did while digital document workflows have become the norm.

Given this, it's easy to assume that these changes mean Xerox is in decline.

As a print vendor for over 40 years, we've seen the printing industry change quite a bit. One thing we've learned is that a company doesn't have to dominate headlines to remain successful. Oftentimes, long-term success comes from adapting to changing customer needs rather than trying to stay in the spotlight.

In our opinion, that's exactly what's happened with Xerox.

The company has certainly changed over the years. Today's Xerox focuses more on workplace technology, document workflows, security, managed print services, and production printing than simply selling copiers.

To understand whether Xerox is truly a "dying company," it helps to first understand how the company got here.

Table of Contents

  • Why Do People Think Xerox Is Dying?
  • A Brief History of Xerox
  • What Xerox Looks Like Today
  • Signs Xerox Is Still Investing in the Future
  • But Xerox Isn't Perfect Either
  • So, Is Xerox a Dying Company?
  • The Better Question to Ask
  • FAQ

Short Answer: Is Xerox a Dying Company?

No, Xerox is not a dying company. While Xerox is no longer the technology giant it was decades ago, it remains one of the world's leading print technology companies. Recent investments such as the acquisition of Lexmark, new printer launches, and workflow software show that Xerox continues to evolve alongside the changing needs of modern businesses. Rather than disappearing, Xerox has shifted its focus to helping organizations improve productivity, document workflows, and print security.

A Brief History of Xerox

Few companies have had as much influence on modern office technology as Xerox.

Founded in 1906 as The Haloid Photographic Company, Xerox transformed the workplace in 1959 with the introduction of the Xerox 914, the world's first successful plain-paper photocopier. The machine changed how businesses handled documents and quickly made Xerox a household name.

In fact, the company's success became so widespread that people began using "Xerox" as a verb to describe making copies.

The Innovation Years

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Xerox became known for much more than copiers.

Through its legendary Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), the company helped pioneer technologies that would shape modern computing, including the graphical user interface (GUI), Ethernet networking, laser printing, and object-oriented programming. While Xerox didn't always bring these innovations to market itself, many of them influenced the personal computers and office technology we use today.

A Changing Industry

By the 1990s and early 2000s, the printing landscape looked very different.

Manufacturers like HP, Canon, Brother, Epson, Ricoh, and Konica Minolta offered businesses more product choices than ever before. The rise of email, cloud storage, and digital document management reduced the need for high volumes of printed documents. The shift toward remote and hybrid work only sped up these changes.

As a result, the entire office printing industry had to adapt.

Xerox Today

Instead of trying to recreate its past success, Xerox gradually evolved with the market.

Today, the company focuses on more than office copiers. Its portfolio includes solutions like managed print services (MPS), workflow automation software, document management, and workplace security. Xerox aims to help businesses manage information more efficiently from start to finish.

In the next section, we'll look at what Xerox actually offers today and why it may be very different from what many people expect.

What Xerox Looks Like Today

Over the past two decades, the company has shifted from being known mostly for photocopiers to becoming a workplace technology company. While office printers and MFPs are still a core part of its business, Xerox now offers solutions designed to help organizations print more efficiently, automate repetitive document tasks, improve security, and manage information across both physical and digital workflows.

For example, Xerox's portfolio today includes some of the following:

  • Production printers for commercial print providers and in-house print shops
  • MPS to help organizations reduce costs and improve fleet management
  • Workflow automation software that simplifies document-heavy processes
  • Cloud and mobile printing solutions for hybrid workplaces

We’ve had conversations with customers today that want to know how their print environment fits into their overall workflow, whether employees can securely print from anywhere, how to reduce IT workload, and how to better control printing costs.

Those are exactly the kinds of challenges Xerox has spent the last several years trying to solve.

The company has also expanded its hardware lineup, introducing updated VersaLink and AltaLink devices for hybrid workplaces, as well as the PrimeLink C9200 Series for high-volume printing. These newer platforms emphasize cloud connectivity, security, workflow automation, and easier management.

Signs Xerox Is Still Investing in the Future

One of the easiest ways to judge whether a company is declining is to look at where it's investing its time, money, and resources.

Recent news suggests Xerox is planning for long-term growth rather than winding down.

The Lexmark Acquisition Signals Long-Term Growth

Probably the biggest recent development was Xerox's strategic acquisition of Lexmark.

By combining Lexmark’s strengths (its strong presence in A4 office printers, enterprise clients, and manufacturing) with its own, Xerox can expand its global reach and solution offerings.

Xerox Continues Improving Its Workplace Technology

Over the years, Xerox continues to introduce new printers, workflow software, and productivity tools.

For example, Xerox has expanded Xerox Workflow Central with new capabilities that support hybrid work and automate time-consuming document tasks. One key update is Workflow Automation, which lets organizations build custom "if this, then that" workflows.

Xerox has also strengthened its MPS by introducing cloud-native fleet management, automated printer driver deployment for multiple printer brands, and enhanced fleet security monitoring.

The Printing Industry Is Still Growing, Even Though It's Changing

It’s undeniable that many organizations print fewer everyday office documents than they did twenty years ago. Digital workflows, cloud storage, and electronic signatures have reduced the need for routine printing in many workplaces.

But printing hasn't fully gone away.

Industry reports project the global printer market will grow from $54.2 billion in 2026 to $71.1 billion by 2034. The global MFP market segment, in particular, is expected to reach approximately $22 billion in 2027.

At the same time, Xerox continues to be a key player in the global printer market.

Learn more about the top trends in the printer industry here.

But Xerox Isn't Perfect Either

In 2026, Xerox no longer dominates public conversation the way it once did, and it faces strong competition from brands like Canon, Ricoh, Brother, and Epson. Consumer brand recognition also isn't as strong as it was during the era when "making a Xerox" became part of everyday language.

The office printing industry itself has matured as well. Businesses are replacing equipment less frequently, and many organizations are printing less. Plus, buyers are focusing more on total cost of ownership, cybersecurity, workflow integration, and service quality.

The companies that continue to succeed today are the ones adapting to changing business needs and providing solutions that help organizations work more efficiently.

So, Is Xerox a Dying Company?

After working with Xerox equipment for more than 40 years, our opinion is no, Xerox is not a dying company.

Beyond printers, today’s businesses are looking for secure printing for hybrid employees, automated document workflows that save time, and cost control for fleets.

One thing we've consistently seen while helping organizations choose office technology is that the best printer brand for an organization depends on factors such as goals, print volume, security, workflows, budget, and support quality.

Throughout the years, we've worked with organizations that were a great fit for Xerox, and others that weren’t.

As the original inventor of the office copier, Xerox has spent years transitioning toward workplace technology, document management, security, workflow automation, and managed print services. These recent investments demonstrate that the company continues to innovate.

The Better Question to Ask

Instead of asking whether Xerox is dying, we think it’s better to ask if:

Is Xerox the right fit for your business?

That's the question that actually matters if you're evaluating new office equipment.

The right decision depends on factors such as:

  • How much your organization prints each month
  • Whether you need A3 or A4 devices
  • Your security and compliance requirements
  • Whether you want managed print services
  • How important workflow automation is to your team
  • The level of local service and support you expect after the sale

Those are the conversations we have with businesses every day.

FAQ

Is Xerox still in business?

Yes. Xerox continues to develop office printers, multifunction devices, production printing equipment, workflow software, and managed print solutions for businesses around the world.

Did Xerox buy Lexmark?

Yes. Xerox announced its acquisition of Lexmark to expand its global reach, strengthen its printer portfolio, and enhance its managed print services capabilities.

Is Xerox still making new printers?

Yes. Xerox continues to introduce new office printers, production printing systems, and software solutions while investing in cloud connectivity, workflow automation, and print security.

Why do some people think Xerox is a dying company?

This comes from the decline in everyday office printing and the fact that Xerox no longer receives the same public attention it once did. However, the company has shifted its focus toward enterprise printing, workflow software, MPS, and workplace technology rather than relying solely on copier sales.

Should I buy a Xerox printer?

It depends on your business’s print volume, workflow needs, security requirements, budget, and the support you'll receive. Evaluating those factors will help you choose the right solution for your organization.

Looking Beyond the Headlines

While Xerox no longer dominates technology headlines the way it once did, the company continues to invest in new hardware, workflow software, security, MPS, and strategic growth initiatives like its acquisition of Lexmark.

In our experience, businesses succeed when they choose technology that fits their current work and can adapt as their needs evolve, rather than relying on headlines or online opinions.

If you're trying to decide whether Xerox is the right fit for your organization, it’s best to compare your options.

Not Sure Whether Switching to Xerox Makes Sense?

If you're currently using another printer brand and wondering whether moving to Xerox is worth it, we've put together a guide to help you make that decision.

Check out our blog, Should You Switch From Your Current Copier to a Xerox Machine?, where we discuss the potential benefits to consider and the questions every business should ask before making the change.