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EXHIBIT (a)(14)
To All Lanier Employees
From Lance Herrin
Subject Acquisition Update
Date 9 January 2001
As we continue to move towards conclusion of our merger agreement with Ricoh,
everyone is anxious for details on our progress. I'm pleased to report that we
are moving swiftly through this process exactly as we had hoped, and we
anticipate closing the transaction between January 24-30. The tender offers have
been sent out and responses are coming in. Ricoh has today announced that they
have extended the date of the tender offer until midnight, Eastern Standard
Time, on Wednesday January 24, 2001. This means that we have extra time to
respond to the tender offer, and we encourage all employees to return their
responses to the tender as soon as possible.
Meetings have been scheduled with Ricoh management during the second week of
February, when we will begin the process of working through organizational
issues. We are planning a series of town hall meetings and communications
packages shortly thereafter to update employees on the decisions and plans going
forward. We will do everything possible to keep you abreast of the news and
developments on a timely basis.
As we start this new quarter, new calendar year, and new phase of our company,
we need all of our energies focused on driving business results at this very
important time. There is tremendous opportunity in the market place, and our
forthcoming merger with Ricoh will put us in an even stronger position to take
advantage of that opportunity. Let's do everything we can to make a strong start
to a prosperous new year.
Best Regards,
