Page "Rank Xerox" Paragraph 3

In 1976, Rank Xerox under David Leadbetter, initiated a unique marketing concept to take xerographic products behind the Iron Curtain, which was implemented by Ralph Land CBE, General Manager of Rank Xerox Eastern Europe Operations ( 1976-91 ).

Commissioning London based designer Cairnes Maltby, the latter came up firstly with a train unit comprising five cars.

These contained staff accommodations, a kitchen, overnight staff sleeping cabins and a demonstration salon and bar.

Pulled by engines of the various countries of the Soviet Bloc, the train reached Russia and a welcome market.

The following year Cairnes Design Associates produced the Rank Xerox truck, a mobile exhibition with fold down doors and add on canopied wings.

Unlike the train it was capable of reaching the small to medium size cities of the Soviet Bloc.

Both train and truck avoided the problems that affected western firms trying to establish a presence in the East.