With over 10 installations within the last 3 years, KOMORI has undoubtedly becomes Nigeria print investors’ new baby. Delivering highest standard of productivity and ease of operation with complete consideration for the environment, KOMORI Presses tick the right boxes. On a familiarization visit to customers in Nigeria (which also coincidentally falls within the official commissioning of Digital Reality Print LTD ultra-modern printing complex), WHERE To Print caught up with KOMORI Top Executives – Mr. Neil Sutton – Managing Director, KOMORI UK LTD and Mr. Tony Carter – Director of Distributor Sales in company of their Nigerian representatives – Bancod LTD MD/ CEO – Mr. Bankole Odukale and one of Pressfix Directors – Mr. Segun Adetayo. Below are excerpts of KOMORI’s Plans for Nigeria amongst salient issues.
WHY DO YOU THINK KOMORI IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER PRESSES?
Tony Carter: We have the experience. This goes back to over 40 years of dealing with different cultures. We pioneered series of innovations like the double cylinder. The way we approach print is to deliver printing presses of the highest possible quality, lowest waste, and process efficiency.
Neil Sutton: When we started the double cylinder model, everybody questioned it. Today, it is the standard in the industry because it ensures stability of the press and aids print quality. We are pioneers in the industry. We led the automated presses; the wash-up systems; and colour management system. These are done to ensure we deliver high quality modern press to the print market. Process efficiency is what is all about.
WITH MANY OF YOUR MACHINES SOLD IN NIGERIA NOW, WHAT PLANS ARE IN PLACE TO ENSURE ADEQUATE BACKUP?
Neil Sutton: Selling of the press is the simplest part. That is why we are working with Bancod and Pressfix to make sure the engineering and technical teams are giving adequate training and support. We are here for the long term, and we will support our customers to ensure less down time.
Tony Carter: Training of our partners’ technicians is of importance to us. Local support is what makes us sell our machines more. The customers will judge – and you can see that from the number of KOMORI Presses installed in Nigeria. We have 2 installed at Academy Press; 2 installed at TTK Press; 2 installed at Digital Reality Print; we also have installations at Taskcon Press, Abuja; and Banc & All, Abuja; and very soon a GL450H will be installed at Printserve. If we don’t support your customers, they won’t come back.
Bankole Odukale: We have our engineers trained already. Next month, two of them will be in Holland for technical training. We want to provide excellent technical support by our Nigerian engineers. KOMORI presses help printers achieve higher productivity which is essential for increased margins and business growth. Finally, they come at reasonable price.
CONSIDERING THE NIGERIAN PRINT MARKET, WHAT STRATEGIES ARE IN PLACE TO MAKE KOMORI A HOUSE HOLD NAME (IN THE MARKET)?
Tony Carter: We have a long history of selling KOMORI presses and our strategy is not different from what we use around the world. We assess the market; we maximize our profile and sales; and we come into partnership with a local respectable brand like Bancod. Ultimately, customers will judge. Nigeria is not peculiar. What you’re going through now – other developed countries have also experienced it. We have our partners to guide us.
Neil Sutton: We believe local is important. We choose the right partner to embrace the market. It’s all part of our belief in – quality and reliability.
SPECIFICALLY WHICH MACHINES ARE YOU PUSHING INTO THE NIGERIAN PRINT MARKET AND WHY?
We have Enthrone 29, LS 29 and GL40 Series being sold in Nigerian print market already. They are good and rugged. The ‘G’ of the Lithrone stands for ‘green,’ symbolizing Komori’s stance on the environment. These are state-of-the-art technology that produces highest print quality, ease of operation, and offering complete consideration for the environment. These Komori presses also delivers enhanced performance needed for high-end commercial and publishing printing.
WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THE NIGERIAN PRINT MARKET?
Neil Sutton: Their enthusiasm is warm. Nigerians are very receptive. We got the good feeling and refreshing approach to business. And Bancod and his team have a good reputation – we are looking at the future with good feeling.
Tony Carter: Nigerians are very warm people. We’ve seen drive, energy and creativity of the Nigeria people. We’ve also seen some presses with structures comparable to international standard; clean and neat environment with courteous staff. We believe we’ve made the right choice and we are here for the long term.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
You’re welcome.
