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Founded in 1923, Komori Corporation Japan has consistently adhered to its heritage of manufacturing products of superior quality and reliability that is why the company is known throughout the world as leading manufacturer of superior quality and reliability printing machinery that birthed the Kando: Beyond expectation mantra. With solid reputation in 82 countries worldwide, WHERE To Print speaks with Engr. Charles Falokun, Service Manager – Bancod Komori in Nigeria to find out how the company is helping customers grow their businesses aside other sundry industry issues. Read the full SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT INTERVIEW in the excerpt below:
GENERALLY, 2020 HAS BEEN AN UNPREDICTABLE YEAR FOR ALL; WHAT CAN YOU SAY ARE THE POSITIVES OF 2020 BUSINESS YEAR?
True the year 2020 has been characterized by lots of challenges due to COVID-19 pandemics. But as stakeholder in the Graphics and Prints Industries, we still have some positive attributes from the 2020 Business Year. Part of the positive happenings during the year was the completion of installation of 2 Units of Komori Lithrone at Ibadan which we commissioned the very week preceding the lockdown in Lagos.
Also, the year gave a lot of insights on how we can operate from home. In fact, we were never away from our customers’ businesses.
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(c) Bancod Komori Head Office in Shomolu, Lagos Nigeria.
EXPERTS BELIEVE ESSENTIAL SERVICE AREAS SUCH AS DIGITAL PRINT, LABELLING, PACKAGING ETC THAT ADDRESS CONSUMPTION AND LIFESTYLES SHOULD BE THE FOCUS OF PRINT BUSINESS OWNERS; WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THIS?
I will agree to this but I would like to add that publishing (books, magazines etc) are also important and cannot be put aside.
SPECIFICALLY, WHICH PRODUCTS ARE YOU OFFERING TO TAKE CARE OF THESE AREAS IN THE MARKET AND WHAT ARE THEIR UNIQUE FEATURES?
Our product range covers wide variety of areas from light prints to packaging as well as publishing. Some of the industrial leaders in packaging and publishing deploy our state-of-the-art Komori Lithrone G40 Series to meet their print demands. For the light prints, we have the Komori Lithrone, Komori Enthrone and Spica Series. These machines are very versatile and reliable plus their low maintenance cost. Customers are really getting satisfaction beyond their expectations from our products.
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(c) Komori Lithrone G37.
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(c) Komori Lithrone G40.
WHAT PROCESS HAVE YOU PUT IN PLACE TO ENSURE YOUR CUSTOMERS GET YOUR QUALITY PRINT PRODUCTS AND CONSUMABLES FROM ANY PART OF THE COUNTRY?
We have a well-tailored logistics system in place that caters for our clients wherever they are. First of which is reaching out to them well ahead of time and help them identify their needs and let them understand the need for them to stock up first line consumables and machine spares. We also have a policy of attending to our customers’ needs 24/7 either by telephone or emails.
“Our product range covers wide variety of areas from light prints to packaging as well as publishing. Some of the industrial leaders in packaging and publishing deploy our state-of-the-art Komori Lithrone G40 Series to meet their print demands. For the light prints, we have the Komori Lithrone, Komori Enthrone and Spica Series. These machines are very versatile and reliable plus their low maintenance cost.”
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(c) Komori Lithrone.
WE UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION OF THINGS IN THE COUNTRY AS REGARDS LOCKDOWN AND RESTRICTIONS; HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR CUSTOMERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY GET THEIR MAINTENANCE SERVICE AS AT WHEN DUE?
First of all, majority of our customers also complied with the lockdown orders. But as we all know some prints especially packaging falls under essential services like pharmaceutical packaging and food packaging print. These set of clients actually are classified as essential service providers and operated partially. During the lockdown, we gave them a lot of support online and with special pass we also gave support on site.
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(c) Trukolor Press, Lagos :- an operator on Komori SPICA 29P.
IN RELATION TO COVID-19, HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH HEALTH ISSUE CONCERNING HANDLING AND USE OF YOUR PRODUCTS TO ENSURE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OPERATORS ESPECIALLY ON THE MACHINE AUTOMATION AND CONSUMABLES USAGE?
We generally followed recommendation regarding COVID-19 as laid down by the Government, through its various agencies like NCDC. Nose masks, face shields, sanitizers became compulsory for all staffs. At some point, we also paid for staff to operate on Uber to avoid too much exposure that is characterized by taking public transport system to work.
THIS YEAR IS INDEED A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR ALL; WHAT ADVICE WILL YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE THAT IS THINKING OF PULLING OUT OF PRINTING BUSINESS DUE TO LOW PATRONAGE?
Would I say there was low patronage? No. It wasn’t a low patronage issue. It was actually a no-work issue occasioned by the lockdown. It affects every sector of the economy.
“During the lockdown, we gave them a lot of support online and with special pass we also gave support on site.”
Things changed once government again started a phase by phase lifting of the lockdown and at the moment, almost all sectors have been opened. So, I will advise any printing business owner that they are not alone and things are gradually picking up with the lifting of the lockdown.
DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWLY FORMED – COMMITTEE OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS (OEM)/ EQUIPMENT SELLERS CLUSTER OF CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL PRINTERS OF NIGERIA (CIPPON) AND WHY?
Yes. Reason being that it’s aimed at positioning the Printing Industry and printing businesses to greater height. But I will like to mention that they should remain focused and not allow individual sentiment to derail the good intentions.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE THE MAJOR TASK(S) OF THIS CLUSTER IN THE INDUSTRY?
Just as I mentioned before, they should stay focus in order to achieve the purpose for which they are formed.
THERE ARE SERIES OF PALLIATIVES BY GOVERNMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AFFECTED BY COVID-19, WHAT DO YOU THINK PRINTERS SHOULD DO TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THESE FACILITIES, AND AT THE MOST CONSIDERATE RATE?
What I will say in this regard is that Government and the financial institutions should have guidelines on how businesses can access these palliatives. So, all what print business owners should do is to understudy the guidelines and follow through.
“As part of our commitment to clients training and development, we are always in touch with operators once every 3months (during our schedule maintenance) testing their understanding of the machine and its usage.”
HOW ARE YOU HELPING YOUR CUSTOMERS TO ACCESS THE RIGHT FACILITY FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY?
Locally, we do assist with necessary documentation and recommendation needed by our customers to secure finance from financial institutions.
BRIEFLY LET US KNOW THE PLANS YOU HAVE FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS AS REGARDS TRAININGS TO BEEF UP OPERATORS’ KNOWLEDGE AND CAPACITY?
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(c) Bancod-Komori Engr. Falokun and Engr. Adetayo with other Komori engineers during training in Europe.
As part of our commitment to clients training and development, we are always in touch with operators once every 3months (during our schedule maintenance) testing their understanding of the machine and its usage. At management level, we sensitized management on available training at our Komori Graphic and Technology Centre in Netherlands about whole lots of trainings available to boost their productivity and developments. These training are held from time to time throughout the year.
WHAT ADVICE WILL YOU GIVE TO PRINT & ALLIED STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE PROFITABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THEIR BUSINESSES?
My advice to print stakeholders to ensure profitability of their print businesses is first – to avoid waste as this can greatly increase cost of production thereby reducing profitability. Furthermore, I will advise that they should pay lot of attention to the machine well-being as this will greatly enhance the productivity of the machine as well as avoid expensive repairs due to damages and will also eliminate loss of production due to machine down-time. Lastly, it will be important that they keep updating themselves in the areas of training, time, and resources management.
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(c) Komori engineers @ work during installation.
GOING FORWARD FROM 2021, WHAT DO YOU FORESEE AND WHAT WILL YOU BE PROMISING YOUR CUSTOMERS ESPECIALLY IN YOUR PRODUCT AND SERVICE OFFERINGS?
I foresee, the industry moving out of all the challenges posed by COVID-19 in the year to come. For us at Bancod Komori, we shall continue to work and develop better ways to serve our growing clients, offering quality and affordable services at all time.
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(c) Bancod-Komori Engr. Charles Falokun with Komori Founder.
FINALLY, WE KNOW PRINTING CAN BE HIGHLY DEMANDING AND STRESSFUL BUSINESS, HOW DO YOU RELAX?
How I relax? Well once a while especially after some straight week of coming out of a new equipment installation, I take time off to relax. Sometimes I may take a trip out of Lagos just to stay away from the hustling and bustling life of Lagos metropolis.
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(c) Engr. Falokun and Engr. Adetayo relaxing during one of their foreign trips.
THANK YOU.
