Konica Minolta, the global print and document management company, is pleased to announce that it has become a patron of the UK’s leading youth charity The Prince’s Trust. Neil Dingley, Managing Director, will join The Prince’s Trust Technology Leadership Group- a fundraising and networking group for leading companies in the technology sector, which has raised more than £10 million to support disadvantaged young people across the UK. 

The Prince’s Trust, founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1976, gives practical and financial support to over 50,000 disadvantaged young people every year, giving them the skills and confidence to find a job. With more than a million young people are struggling to find a job, youth unemployment is estimated to cost the UK economy £155 million a week in benefits and lost productivity*.

Konica Minolta has made a four year commitment to supporting Prince’s Trust activity

“The Prince’s Trust approach of building lifetime skills and on-going development plans for those disadvantaged in the UK, is one that we whole-heartedly support and reinforces our UK vision of developing mutually beneficially partnerships, in turn we can build the skills and capabilities of our own teams and experience the personal rewards of making a real difference to young people’s lives. We are very proud to be patron to such a worthy cause,” says Neil Dingley, Managing Director.

The patronage also provides the opportunity for over 850 UK-based Konica Minolta colleagues to become personally involved in fundraising and development activities. As an initial activity, 12 colleagues have signed up to take part in The Prince’s Trust Million Makers competition, where businesses compete to turn an investment of up to £1500 into a healthy profit

Being part of the Konica Minolta Million Makers team will give colleagues the opportunity to take part in a real challenge in the real world.  It will enable them to put business acumen, team working skills, creativity and negotiation expertise to the test, whilst developing new skills at the same time and, in doing so, raise money for The Princes Trust.  “We are very excited to welcome Konica Minolta as a patron of The Prince’s Trust and a member of the Technology Leadership Group (TLG). As a market leader in print and document management Konica Minolta is a natural fit to help steer this group. Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd will sit alongside our other patrons which include prominent technology companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, HP, CapGemini and Accenture. Konica Minolta is clearly committed to making a positive impact on the communities in which it operates and we look forward to welcoming Neil Dingley to the TLG and working with Konica Minolta colleagues as they support the work of The Prince’s Trust,” comments Charlie Baxter, fundraising manager at The Prince's Trust .

*The Prince’s Trust and RBS report – Cost of Exclusion (2010).

The bizhub PRESS C7000 production printing system achieved ‘Outstanding Colour Light Production Device’ based on extensive testing by BLI including a 33,121 impression evaluation. “The new image quality technology added to the bizhub PRESS C7000 has certainly paid great dividends,” commented David Sweetnam, Head of European Research and Lab Services for BLI. “In the highly competitive and complex world of production print, choosing the most suitable device for your workflow is a tough task. BLI’s comprehensive production test suite makes the task easier by revealing how these devices actually perform in real-world workflows.”

This is the second BLI award for the outstanding bizhub PRESS C7000 this year. BLI has already awarded the bizhub PRESS C7000 its ultimate 5-star grade for short-run colour consistency. Sweetnam continued “In fact, this device is the first production unit tested to receive BLI’s five-star rating for colour consistency over 1,000-page print runs of BLI’s test document on coated or uncoated media. Solid density was also impressively consistent. Fine lines and text were also reproduced at a very high-quality level even in default mode.”

For Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK), Mark Hinder, Production Print Market Development Manager stated, “We are very honoured to receive recognition from BLI for the performance of our technologies. Receiving this new accolade for the award-winning bizhub PRESS C7000 is an independent endorsement of the quality and reliability of our production print systems. As the BLI award recognises only the best production devices in such categories as image quality, colour consistency, productivity and ease of use, the ‘Outstanding Colour Light Production Device’ accolade exemplifies how customers can count on Konica Minolta for market-leading performance and productivity from all our solutions.”

For more information, please visit Awards

Designed to educate, engage and interact with its customers, colleagues, managed print and document management industry professionals and other stakeholders, its social media presence will also keep its subscribers and followers up to date on the latest company news and activities, as well as job vacancy opportunities.
Neil Dingley, Managing Director of Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd, said “We are very excited to be launching our presence on these social media platforms; we look forward to engaging with our target markets on a more personal level. Social media has become a highly effective way to engage with multiple target groups including customers, partners, colleagues and the media, and will be utilised to keep followers notified of the latest news, events, product launches and job vacancies.”
Konica Minolta invites you to connect and follow our brand new social media networks!

LinkedIn: Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd corporate page.

Facebook: Like our page, you’ll be kept up to date on all the latest news and events.

Twitter: Follow Konica Minolta on Twitter too.

New applications and services, like the cloud-based system Printgroove JT Web 5 GO, have been specially created to meet customers’ needs.

Quality, price and service are no longer a guarantee of good business in the printing market. But what are today’s new business growth strategies? Faced by the challenges of commercial printers and printing service providers in the market, Konica Minolta Business Solutions sees the customer-centric approach as key. In this regard, the company provides support with consultancy concepts and services.

In keeping with this strategy, Konica Minolta has created Digital 1234, a business-building program designed for simplicity. The four-step process encourages businesses to take an opportunity-based approach to start driving business. Using four practical steps, the customer is guided and coached on how to identify, assess, justify and implement new business opportunities.

“The key question is ‘How can we aid your business today?’ Besides consultancy concepts, applications like Web2Print software are the perfect business enabler. Up to 34 per cent of customers intend to buy these kinds of solutions,” says Mark Hinder Production Print Market Development Manager for Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK).

Due to this demand, Konica Minolta will present the fifth edition of Printgroove JT Web Suite. Consisting of two flexible software modules – Printgroove JT Web 5 and Printgroove JT Man 5 – the new version provides customers with comprehensive make ready, web-2-print and powerful print management functionalities. Furthermore, a new, cloud-based system will be introduced, Printgroove JT Web 5 GO.

The enhanced version is more user friendly, increases flexibility and efficiency for administrators by allowing the print process to be analysed in detail and improving production planning. New product features and additional modules, such as a function that carries out a pre-flight check of documents, improved price calculation, a variable VAT indication, a multi-shop system and an online payment connector for Ogone, offer further support for printing service providers.

Due to the software as a service business model, Printgroove JT Web 5 GO is the perfect business enabler for the Web2Print market. As a hosted application, a print provider who is interested in Printgroove JT Web 5 GO does not require server hardware, IT knowledge or additional personnel to use the solution.

Printgroove JT Web 5 GO comes with the same features as Printgroove JT Web 5 and affords printing providers usability through its user interface and flexibility through customisation. It’s simple, fast and low-cost setup as well as the attractive pay-per-month model makes Printgroove JT Web 5 GO a great choice, especially for small companies.

Konica Minolta will also be presenting their first ink jet press KM1, developed for the commercial printer sector. A preview will be given of a further three digital printing systems with outstanding performance for economical print production and superb-quality colour and black & white printing, with the goal to increase business for customers.

In a technology showcase, Konica Minolta offers a first look at its pioneering inkjet development “KM1”. Targeting commercial printing environments KM1 supports commercial printers in producing high-quality print jobs that are not suitable for offset printing, e.g. due to size, short print runs, extremely tight deadlines, and of course, variable data processing.

“KM1 is a joint development of Komori and Konica Minolta. By combining the proprietary technologies of both companies, we are able to create a high value-added product that meets the demands of our customers and can appeal to next-generation printing industry”, comments Mark Hinder, Production Print Market Development Manager, Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK). 

The high-speed colour inkjet press processes formats up to size B2 and a speed of 3300 sph (sheets per hour). Thanks to a high resolution of 1200 x 1200 dpi, an outstanding print quality is given.

Beyond that, Konica Minolta will give a preview of the bizhub PRESS 1052 und 1250, a black and white print production system, as well as bizhub C1100, a new colour flagship among the Konica Minolta digital presses.

Commercial printers, as well as external and internal print providers, benefit from the bizhub PRESS 1052/1250’s impressive performance, superb black-and-white print quality, and absolute reliability, even for the production of peak volumes – factors that translate into enhanced overall productivity and boost customer satisfaction. Both digital presses are ideal for commercial printers to make a start in digital black and white print production, and pave the way for new business opportunities. Keywords are ‘printing on demand’ and ‘variable data printing’: flexible digital printing facilitates the production of exact required quantities and individualised print products. This saves time, manpower and overall costs by reducing storage space as well as waste from outdated printed information. The presses will be launched in July 2012.

Although the launch is planned for next year, Konica Minolta will give an initial introduction of the bizhub PRESS C1100, a new superb-quality colour printing system on the production level, at drupa 2012.
 
The bizhub PRESS C1100 is the professional colour press that commercial printers, print-for-pay facilities and corporate CRDs have been waiting for. Meeting tightest deadlines is easy with Konica Minolta’s fastest colour digital press: The bizhub PRESS C1100 does not require extensively trained key operators, but features a digital workflow that accommodates last-minute changes, web-to-print job ordering, variable data printing and cost-effective inline finishing – all of which maximise the flexibility and productivity of any printing environment. Helping to lower the cost of labour and other hidden costs, it guarantees a fast turna¬round and better profits from higher margins. Managing short-run, print on demand, personal¬ised and customised print jobs is easy with the bizhub PRESS C1100. As a true value-added differentiator, it enables printers to fulfil the most diverse requirements of their customers. Its robust capabilities offer an easy path to digital print production and facilitate the entry into production printing.

With the bizhub PRESS C1100, Konica Minolta meets the advanced requirements of print production at the highest level, improves customer satisfaction by offering digital image quality on par with offset printing and supports printing companies in holding their ground in this highly competitive market.

For more information, please visit drupa2012

After five years, Mr Yuki Kobayashi, former Managing Director of the UK business has returned to Konica Minolta headquarters in Japan to take up a senior post within group operations.

Mr Neil Dingley will step up to the challenge of continuing to grow and add strength to the UK business as the newly appointed Managing Director. Previously in the role of Operations Director and Company Secretary, Neil has worked closely with Mr Kobayashi for the past five years, supporting the turnaround of the UK operation and contributing to its success.

“Neil has proven he is capable of leading the UK operation from the front” commented My Kobayashi before his return to Japan, and continued, “I have every confidence that he will take the UK business to the next level in its successful journey”.

In addition, a new Board position has been created as a key support in the development of new revenue and profit streams.  Keiji Masamoto will be joining the UK business as Director of Strategic Business Expansion and brings with him significant experience in driving market expansion through geographical, OEM and alliance building.  Reporting directly into Neil, Keiji joins the UK business from the Konica Minolta in Japan where he played a key role in support of Global Major Account business expansion.

Neil comments “Despite a challenging economic environment, we have seen growth of our business in new markets and are seeing our brand strengthen as a key player in the provision of managed print and document management solutions, further our vision of developing long term, mutually beneficial partnerships with our customers and strategic partners is making real progress. I am excited by the future prospects for our business and I am confident we have the right leadership team in place to achieve our strategic business objectives”.

The Leadership Team is structured as follows:

• Neil Dingley, Managing Director – all of the following report directly into Neil:
• Keiji Masamoto, Director of Strategic Business Expansion
• James Goody, Director of Direct Sales
• Mark Lloyd, Director of Indirect Sales
• Martin Tierney, Director of Service
• Merri Applegate, Director of HR
• Eric Green, Director of Finance

The newest generation of office systems, Konica Minolta bizhub C654 and bizhub C754, give users a multitude of functions and possibilities with a simple touch. The bright 9-inch colour touch screen features multi-touch functionality with the intuitive “touch-and-swipe” interface that is well known from smartphones and tablet PCs. With simplified menus and customisable icons, users have it all in their hands – and are able to work more efficiently and smarter than before.

The new bizhub series of printing solutions also includes standard dual scanning, even mixed originals of different sizes as well as a mix of single and double-sided prints can be scanned with maximum efficiency. The printing devices filter blank pages automatically during the scanning process, and with fast output speeds, this new bizhub series can produce customised, full-colour content in-house and on-demand, saving both time and money.

The remarkably eco-friendly design and concern for power saving, waste reduction and the use of eco materials in their construction underline the bizhub C654/ bizhub C754’s  advanced “green” usability. New features like the dynamic eco timer, which analyses working conditions and automatically adjusts sleep mode, contribute especially to the ecological and economical performance of the devices.

Bizhub 215 launch
With the launch of these new colour MFDs, Konica Minolta Business Solutions has also announced the launch of its latest office A3 mono printing device - the bizhub 215. Featuring a robust design and a compact footprint the bizhub 215 will easily fit into any office, and can be deployed as a central communications hub for small to medium sized teams and workgroups in organisations of all sizes. Printing both A4 and A3, the bizhub 215 is a true monochrome Multi-Functional Device (MFD), featuring innovative and integral colour scanning and fax capabilities as standard.

“A reliable and instantly usable MFD is seen as one of the basics for a productive work environment,” says James Goody, Director of Direct Sales for Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK). “The bizhub 215 is easy to use and designed for optimising business workflows. Thanks to its compatibility with organisational IT and its range of functionality, it handles all everyday office jobs, freeing up users to get on with what they do best – their jobs.”

For more information, please visit Konica Minolta's Multi-Functional Printing Solutions

The Framework Agreement for MultiFunctional Devices and Services, Managed Print Services and Print Audit Services, are managed by the Government Procurement Service, YPO and ESPO, and will be used by organisations across the public sector including central and local government, emergency services, the NHS, state education establishments and other public bodies.

The two lots on the framework agreement on which Konica Minolta Business Solutions is included cover MultiFunctional Devices and services (including Production Print room equipment) with an estimated worth up to £570 million; and Managed Print Service contracts (MPS) with a potential value of £140 million. Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd is one of only four suppliers to be selected for each lot.

Commenting on the contract award, James Goody, Director of Direct Sales for Konica Minolta Business Solutions said, “Our place on this major public sector purchasing framework agreement has been won in the face of some very challenging competition. The agreements set a very high bar for equipment performance and customer intimate service delivery, enabling us to provide improved profitability and efficiency into our customers’ environments. We will meet the exacting environmental standards demanded in the contract through our proven green managed print services, technologies and methodologies. The fact that Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd can meet these stringent requirements as a precondition to be even considered for public sector contracts, clearly demonstrates the very high standards we set for ourselves and  supports our vision of developing long term, mutually beneficial partnerships with our clients.

“Konica Minolta’s Optimized Print Services (OPS) programme for MPS contracts is designed to reduce costs, drive efficiencies and increase productivity both within the office, and within in-plant document production areas, and we are very much looking forward to working with our public sector customers in the coming years.”

Background and Objective
The commercial printing market has lately been adopting more and more digital printing systems, as customer needs have increased in high-variety, low-volume and short-run orders, as well as visible surge in demands for one-to-one marketing and variable printing.

Konica Minolta BT has developed and delivered digital printing systems for the production print field since 1999, based on its broad range of core technologies relating to color output. Backed by high reputation in the market for its image quality, durability and stability, Konica Minolta BT firmly holds its leading position in the color output section of the light production segment.

Komori Corporation has been providing specialised and innovative solutions as a leading company in the commercial printing market, with its offset printing systems capable of producing a wide range of printed items at the center of the business.

With the background, for the purpose of building productive output environment, contributing to comprehensive business development in the commercial printing market and offering superb products and services that meet customer needs, Konica Minolta BT has concluded a global sales agreement with Komori Corporation.

Path Forward
Konica Minolta BT supplies Komori Corporation with "bizhub PRESS" series, mainly with the digital printing system "bizhub PRESS C8000", its primary product in the lineup, in the four regions of Japan, the U.S., Europe and China. Additionally, starting in May 2012, Konica Minolta BT will supply Komori Corporation with the "bizhub PRESS" series on an OEM basis in the four regions of Japan, the U.S., Europe and China.

Distributing the "bizhub PRESS" series through Komori Corporation’s sales channels and under the Komori brand on an OEM basis, Konica Minolta BT will expand its distribution channels to customers who use offset print systems as their main production system. That will enable Konica Minolta to accumulate diverse information about output quality, media handling and stable operation of the system in relation to the heavy production segment in every phase of development, manufacturing, sales and customer support.

In addition, as a preparation for future growth, Konica Minolta is planning to show a technology exhibit of an inkjet digital printing system (prototype) under joint development with Komori Corporation, in an effort for development into the commercial printing market, at Drupa 2012, held in Dusseldorf, Germany, from May 3 to 16, 2012.

Under the communication message "Giving Shape to Ideas", Konica Minolta focuses on customers’ viewpoint and strives to serve diversifying output needs in the commercial printing market. In its commitment to meet its customers’ demands and expectations through delivery of highly reputable products and services, Konica Minolta will continue to enhance its growth strategy for the entire Group.

Business Info is a well-regarded magazine with a Print.IT supplement dedicated to developments in document imaging technology. The publication’s ‘Editor’s Choice’ awards are given for outstanding achievement and carry a lot of prestige.

Konica Minolta’s bizhub 36 and bizhub 42 have a robust yet compact design ensuring they can fit comfortably into the heart of any office environment and feature a variety of versatile finishing options. Flexible network options ensure seamless integration into the Konica Minolta existing bizhub A3 line-up.

Low total energy consumption (TEC) values mean that both the bizhub 36 and 42 offer reduced energy consumption, with the benefits of economy coupled with environmental conservation. Konica Minolta systems meet the highest eco standards and are certified with the Blue Angel and the Energy Star eco labels.

For Konica Minolta, James Goody, Director of Direct Sales commented, “The Business Info ‘Editor’s Choice’ award is a great endorsement from an independent magazine for our new A4 MFDs. Konica Minolta is an acknowledged leader in the document imaging technology and these innovative devices give customers the best of both worlds – an A4 device with a compact footprint capable of occasional A3 printing.”

The company presents new exhibition concept at drupa 2012

Langenhagen/Germany, 22.02.12

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe has set “Brainpower your printing business!” as this year’s motto at drupa 2012, a leading exhibition for the printing industry. The objective behind the motto is to enhance customer business through the use of new concepts.

With its customer-centred approach the Japan-based company will present an innovative exhibition concept at Konica Minolta’s largest-ever trade fair stand. “We will launch our new vision over a 2,300 square metre space, paving an easy path to digital printing for our customers”, reports Olaf Lorenz, General Manager, International Marketing Division, at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe. The goal is to build a bridge between analogue and digital printing. With its eye on added value for customers, Konica Minolta will outline the extra business benefits of digital printing. The concept for realising this aim will include services and consultancy with regard to using digital equipment effectively. At drupa 2012 Konica Minolta will represent a comprehensive range of digital printing systems and software solutions in workflow cases based on specific projects.

The entire current Konica Minolta production printing range will be demonstrated at the stand, from entry-level to mid-level production printing as well as colour and mono devices.

Systems will be demonstrated in ‘real-world’ production print applications using Konica Minoltas software solutions and third party ‘best of breed’ applications.

For Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Europe), Olaf Lorenz comments, “Our production print systems have recently won a series of high profile awards for excellence including the BERTL ‘Best Production Line of the Year’ and the Buyers Lab (BLI) 5-star award for the bizhub PRESS C7000’s colour consistency. Additional we won the `BERTL “Exceptional certified five star” award for our flagship the bizhub PRESS C8000`. We know there’s a lot of demand to see the Konica Minolta systems in action.”

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe at drupa 2012:

Stand: B78, Hall 8B

Venue: Düsseldorf Fairgrounds, Germany

Dates: 3 to 16 May 2012

Register now for your drupa visit at the Konica Minolta booth