Calcomp
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Printers, Imaging solutions, Computer peripherals |
| Predecessor | California Computer Products, Inc. |
| Founded | 1959 in Anaheim, California, United States |
| Fate | Operations concluded in 1999; product lines transitioned to other firms |
| Headquarters | Anaheim , United States |
| Products | Plotters (drum and flatbed), digitizers, thermal transfer color printers, thermal plotters, IBM-compatible disk and tape storage devices |
Calcomp Technology, Inc., often referred to as Calcomp or CalComp, was a leading American enterprise focused on printers and imaging solutions, best known for its Calcomp plotter devices.
History
Established in 1959 under the name California Computer Products, Inc in Anaheim, California, Calcomp quickly became a significant player in the peripheral hardware industry. The company expanded its reach after being acquired by Sanders Associates, Inc. in 1980. Subsequently, in 1986, Sanders Associates was purchased by Lockheed Corporation for $1.2 billion and integrated into Lockheed's Information Systems Group, while Calcomp continued to operate as a separate brand identity.
Closure
Operations at Calcomp Technology concluded in 1999, with various product lines transitioning to different firms that maintain the use of "Calcomp" or other related "Cal-" trademarks:
- Technical support and replacement parts: CalGraph Technology Services, Inc.
- TechJet 5500 Large Format Inkjet Plotter/Printer: CalComp Graphics
- Digitizers, tablets, and scanners: GTCO CalComp, Inc.
- Film Imaging Systems: EcoPro Imaging (currently part of OYO Instruments)
- Cutter and sign maker equipment: Westcomp
Product Range
Calcomp's offerings included an extensive variety of plotters—both drum and flatbed types—alongside digitizers, thermal transfer color printers, and thermal plotters. By 1969, the company commanded close to 80% of the worldwide plotter market. Additionally, Calcomp produced IBM-compatible disk and tape storage devices, covering disk models equivalent to IBM's 2311 through 3350 series as well as tape products comparable to the IBM 3420.
Through strategic acquisitions such as Talos and Summagraphics (the latter having previously acquired Houston Instruments), Calcomp broadened its product lineup and enhanced its market standing.
Houston Instruments
Houston Instruments, known for manufacturing pen plotters controlled by the DMPL language, was a competitor to Hewlett Packard's plotter models like the HP 7470. Following its acquisition by Summagraphics, Houston Instruments' portfolio grew to include notable products such as the DMP-29, DMP-40 series, DMP-50 series, and DMP-60 series plotters.
Computer Division
In 1987, CalComp divested its computer division to a firm specializing in CAD/CAM, signaling a strategic realignment toward its primary areas of expertise.