Globally recognised for its award-winning products, Konica Minolta held a special press conference on Wednesday, September 11 at the ongoing PRINTINGUnited 2024 where the Team of Toshitaka Uemura, Barbara Stainbrook, Jason Dizzine, and Frank Mallozzi presented some of its latest portfolio including the next generation B2 Inkjet Press – AccurioJet 60000 – all aimed at helping Printers see the potentials and expand their businesses in new ways like Konica Minolta did in conjunction with two of its revered customers – PostcardMania and Kennickell Group whose success stories were also shared during the press parley. WHERE To Print was there and reports:
Since PRINTINGUnited 2024 began a day before, Konica Minolta’s expertise and leadership in industrial and production printing has been on full display at its sizeable Booth C3491 featuring its wide range of renowned and latest technologies such as AccurioPress C14010s (high-volume, toner-based production press, updated with a fifth station for white toner aside other new hardware and firmware upgrades including the new IQ-601 for one-touch colour management amongst others), and AccurioWide 250 (a versatile printer with superior image quality and high productivity for both outdoor and indoor job applications equipped with UV LED lamps that allow users to print on a wider range of media, while simultaneously saving energy, time and cost).
Other exciting developments presented by Konica Minolta Team of Toshitaka Uemura, Barbara Stainbrook, Jason Dizzine, and Frank Mallozzi at the media parley include; PKG-1300 (a full colour digital packaging printer designed for corrugated manufacturers, converters, printers and brand owners looking for an automatic industrial digital print solution); the easy-to-operate AccurioLabel 230 (a digital toner press for those looking to bring label production in-house. With printing speeds of 77 ft/min, simple user interface and integrated software packages, AccurioLabel 230 is easy to operate with assurance that short-run label production is done quickly and on-time); and AccurioShine 3600 with iFoil One option as the company’s newest inkjet spot UV printer, powered by MGI’s innovative varnish technology backed by Konica Minolta’s reliability. The device enables in-house spot UV varnishing, from prototyping to full production, without the need for screens, plates or dies. Also, AccurioShine 3600 utilizes ground-breaking technology for adding 2D and 3D multiple coating and dimensional texture effects in a single pass.
Not only those, they also presented the next generation AccurioJet 60000 – the high-speed UV Inkjet Ink by Dot Freeze Technology that produces high-quality printing with excellent gradation and print gloss. With its highly reliable device-management techniques, such as original colour management, image-quality inspection systems, and print-quality monitoring of inkjet heads, AccurioJet 60000 ensures (that) labour-saving and high stability print image are achievable throughout production process.
WHERE To Print also gathers that from its first entry into the label market in 2015 with its debut C71cf till today, with its newly launched JETvarnish 3D Web 400 (a 100% web-fed digital embellishment solution that seamlessly integrates Spot UV Varnish, Hot Foil Stamping and Variable Data Printing in a single pass tailored for the evolving needs of the self-adhesive label and flexible packaging sectors), Konica Minolta is now world’s number one market leader in terms of toner-based digital colour label units sold.
While analysing Konica Minolta successes in the B2 market as a result of constantly evolving and investments, Frank Mallozzi, President, IPP informed that; “Our industrial and production print portfolio is in peak condition, positioned for growth and meeting customer demands with devices based on our clients’ real-world needs, allowing them to be more efficient and profitable in an ever-increasingly competitive marketplace.” As a result, Konica Minolta now has 47% (of the) market share that has seen Konica Minolta customers installing 2nd to 4th presses after first installation.
Konica Minolta Customer Success Stories
From PostcardMania in Clearwater, Florida to Kennickell Group in Savanna, Georgia, Konica Minolta systems have enabled their customers grow exponentially. For PostcardMania, Konica Minolta’s amazing inkjet technology that ensures superior uptime, job flexibility, and customization options has resulted in 28% increase in its monthly digital printed sheets year-on-year with 15% revenue growth that tripled average annual growth since 2020. According to Kacey Kennickell Ray – Kennickell Group Vice President, her company’s acquisition of Konica Minolta press was due to its low operating cost, high productivity with the ability to print, sort, bundle and mail easily with less waste and power consumption aside the incredible customer service. All these have manifested in Kennickell Group selling and producing more than ever before with reduced make-readies time thus provoking high return on investment.
While noting Konica Minolta’s responsiveness to customer service, WHERE To Print asked if there was a way Konica Minolta America Team could support their counterparts in Africa with both after-sales support services especially in the supply of consumables and parts and the answer was a resounding yes; “We’re committed to support our counterparts in Africa with after-sales services” enthused Frank Mallozzi confirming his Team’s readiness to support Konica Minolta’s customers worldwide.
With obvious alternatives and the multiplier effects on the continent, it will therefore be a novel idea for Konica Minolta representatives across Africa to connect with their counterparts in America (or vice versa) for collaborations on all issues that will strengthen and expand their foothold in the region thereby ensuring the sustainability of their customers businesses. The time to start is now!
