Computer and printer maker HP – which invested billions in the developments of inkjet web press technology – is merging its two main businesses as the head of the imaging and printing group leaves.

IPG executive vice president Vyomesh Joshi leaves the company under an “organisational realignment” announced yesterday.

Joshi – who completes a 31-year career at HP – is credited with growing the division’s revenue from U$19 billion to US$26 billion, doubling its operating profit to approximately $4 billion.

HP is expected to bring bigger, faster web presses to DRUPA in May – where it will be the second-largest exhibitor – and extend its wide-web offering. Currently graphic arts developments stem from two sources… scaled-up versions the company’s own inkjet technology, and the Electro-ink based Indigo technology it bought from Benny Landa.

Observers say one of the purposes of the reorganisation is to reduce the group’s dependence on sales of printer ink … the curious conundrum under which at office level, the cost of the printer is frequently lower than that of the consumables.

The imaging and printing group (IPG) and personal systems group are being combined under Todd Bradley, who has been the latter’s executive vice president since 2005.

HP president and chief executive Meg Whitman says the realignment will facilitate cost savings and help the company pursue profitable growth and reinvestment: “This combination will bring together two businesses where HP has established global leadership,” she says.

A board member since January last year, she was appointed to her present position in September, having worked as a part-time strategic advisor to private equity firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caulfield & Byers from March to September 2011.

Plans for the reorganisation also include moving the global accounts sales organisation to a newly-named HP Enterprise Group, led by David Donatelli, with former global sales executive vice president Jan Zadak working for him in a yet-to-be announced role.

Marketing functions across business units are to be unified under Marty Homlish, HP executive vice president and chief marketing officer, and communications employees worldwide also will be similarly “unified” under Henry Gomez, executive vice president and chief communications officer.

Further changes will allow real estate consolidation.

“Ensuring we have the right organisational structure in place is a critical first step in driving improved execution, and increasing effectiveness and efficiency,” says Whitman. “The result will be a faster, more streamlined, performance-driven HP that is customer focussed and poised to capitalise on rapidly shifting industry trends.”