Basildon UK, 23 May 2007

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH (KMBS) and Konica Minolta Printing Solutions Europe BV (KMPS) have started discussions with both Works Councils about the intended integration of the organisations. KMPS has presented yesterday a Request for Advice to the Works Council. The final decision of the integration is subject to consultation between KMPS management and KMPS’s Works Council regarding restructuring and social matters.

 

The intentions of KMBS/KMPS managements for this integration are:

1. In order to build the strong brand image and awareness in the market as well as to make Konica Minolta as the firm and strong MFP/Printer supplier to continuously grow. Unify our strategy and marketing activities between KMBS and KMPS under one umbrella (one face and common strategy) and unify the local sales organisations and activities to make the sales channels stronger.

 

2. Legally KMPS shall be merged into KMBS by asset deal and become KMBS’s NL branch intended as of 29th June 2007. Some of the common functions of both headquarters shall be basically integrated and optimised to be more efficient and effective from the customer satisfaction point of view.

 

3. Subsidiaries of KMPS shall be merged into each subsidiary of KMBS in relevant countries respectively during July – October 2007.

 

Hideki Okamura, President of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH (KMBS) said, “More and more the border of MFP and Printer/AIO industries are crossing over each other and mega-competition in this industry is heating up. Considering the current market environment, I believe that both operations in Europe should act as one company under the unified deployment and business strategy.”

 

Kanji Wada, Managing Director of Konica Minolta Printing Solutions Europe BV (KMPS) said, “I do believe that combined with planned expansion of product portfolio, the merger will provide us with an excellent opportunity of substantially growing Printer/AIO business and its market presence to truly become one of the leading printer vendors in Europe. We will be also able to manage and optimize our sales channels from both MFP & printer point of view, and create better channel satisfaction as well as customer satisfaction as a consequence.”

 

 

Ends.

 

Hideki Okamura

President of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH

Langenhagen, Germany

 

Kanji Wada

Managing Director

Konica Minolta Printing Solutions Europe BV

Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

 

 

Press contacts:

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH

Carlos Baart

Manager Corporate Communications

Tel.: +49 511 7404 324

carlos.baart@konicaminolta.eu

 

Konica Minolta Printing Solutions Europe BV

Kristen Miller

PR Manager EMEA

Tel.: +31 30 248 11 46

kristen.miller@bpe.konicaminolta.nl

 

 

 

About Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd

 

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd markets business machines manufactured by Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc, in the United Kingdom through a direct sales force and a network of independent dealerships. Konica Minolta digital imaging systems are manufactured in Japan and China. All are ISO9002 accredited for quality procedures. 

 

UK turnover for Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd is in excess of £120 million, placing the company fifth in the digital copier market with a 8.6 per cent share of the black and white market and a market leading 34.9 per cent share of the colour market (not including colour capable systems) according to Infosource.

 

With a total workforce of 19,800 employees world wide, Konica Minolta Business Technologies generated net sales of over £3.15 billion in fiscal 2005/2006. Globally Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. has a turnover £6.1 billion. Building on its strong core of optical technologies developed over many years, Konica Minolta Business Technologies aims to be a corporation offering products and services that are essential to all areas of digital imaging.

 

 

For further information contact:                                 

John Howard

Head of Marketing

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd             

Tel: 01908 200400

Fax: 08701 321751

E-mail: John.Howard@bs.konicaminolta.co.uk

Web: www.konicaminolta.co.uk

 

Editorial enquiries:

Glyn Pritchard

Vox Communications

Tel: 01892 825043

Fax: 0870 162 3983

E-mail: voxcomm@btinternet.com