150 Years of Konica Minolta – It’s All About the People

Remote Resolution Specialist, Rob Stickland, will celebrate an impressive 46 years at Konica Minolta in July 2023. Discussing his longevity Rob stated, “There has never been a need for me to look elsewhere, as my life needs changed, this also fitted with the changes Konica Minolta needed too. What I like most about working here is the people and teamwork. Whichever area of the business I have worked in, I have always had a good team of people around me that I can rely upon for support and comradery. I have always enjoyed working with mechanical/electrical equipment and Konica Minolta afforded me the opportunity to continue that into a profession”.
Over four and a half decades Rob has seen considerable changes. “From a service point of view, technology has moved on considerably - fax machines came and went, photocopiers went from analogue machines to digital multifunctional devices. Also, there has been a considerable shift from a technician needing to service machines regularly, to modular fit consumable items and remote by default servicing.” Rob believes Konica Minolta has a key place in the future of the technology sector, “Technology is changing all the time and Konica Minolta will diversify with it. There will certainly be more pre-emptive resolution to issues rather than being reactive, in whichever fields the company moves into. Also, software will become even more of a key part of the business.”  

Category Manager, Phillip John, has been working for Konica Minolta since 1998 and agrees that one of the biggest reasons to join and stay is the team. “I have met some amazing people during my time here, from a management team that really leads and mentors employees, to co-workers who support and help drive the direction of the company. Konica Minolta does seem to attract people who really want to innovate and change the norm.”
Phillip is equally focussed on why he has worked for the company for a quarter of a century, “It’s about being given the opportunity to lead a change within the organisation. When I first started it was all about hardware, and over the years I have helped to build a solutions business and manage the change. By far the biggest change was the merger of Konica and Minolta in 2003 - bringing together two organisations is never easy but both companies and their teams fully embraced this.” Looking ahead he added, “Konica Minolta has always recognised that we need to continue transforming our business whilst supporting our core offerings. We cannot sit still, we must always innovate to remain relevant, and I sincerely hope we do that for generations to come.”

Sales Support Team Leader, Angela Jarvis, will have been with Konica Minolta for 21 years in October 2023 and says that the variety of the business, as well as teamwork, are key reasons she continues to stay, “I like that two days are never the same, I love problem solving and helping my colleagues. I love working with people across the whole business as this gives me an insight into what each of us does and gives me more of an understanding of the direct impact our team has on other departments.”
Angela also highlights Konica Minolta’s consideration and support for its employees and wider society as making it different from its competitors, “Konica Minolta is an investor in people and gives us the tools to succeed, and always encourages staff to develop their careers with full support. It is also very environmentally aware as an organisation.”

Commercial Finance Business Data Analyst, Kevin Dean, joined Konica Minolta’s Logistics Department aged 17 and is celebrating two decades with the company. Like Angela, he believes employee support is a considerable bonus, “I see Konica Minolta as a company offering a great amount of opportunity. If you are willing to work hard, learn, and put yourself forward for the positions you would like to try, Konica Minolta fully supports that.”
Twenty years with Konica Minolta has given Kevin a broad view of its success. “With a basis around technology, having a history going back 150 years only goes to show how adaptable and ambitious this company is. I have seen Konica Minolta manufacture cameras, medical equipment, photocopiers, and multifunctional devices, whilst evolving to provide IT and business services. I hope the company continues to perform well and provides great opportunities for future generations who want to follow a career.”

Global Account Manager, Veronica Bland, will be marking 16 years with Konica Minolta in 2023. Working closely with both the inhouse team and customers gives Veronica a privileged view across both sides of the business dynamic. “I love my team and colleagues, I have made true friends and really learnt so much. I really enjoy working with my clients and discovering how different businesses work. All the people in the various roles really want to make improvements and work together for the company’s goals and for our customers.”
When asked why she is committed to her career with Konica Minolta, Veronica commented, “My colleagues - even when times are tough, they help me get through. My clients are a huge factor as I have built great long-term working relationships with them, and I want to help their businesses thrive. I am proud Konica Minolta has adapted and worked through the tough times and continues to become stronger. The world will continue changing and Konica Minolta will keep adapting.”

Creative and Brand specialist, Tim Hawkins, has been part of the Konica Minolta Marketing team for 11 years and is acutely aware of the power of a brand in attracting and retaining industry talent, as well as resonating with customers and partners. The Marketing team has evolved steadily to meet demand, as Tim commented, “When I joined there was a clear challenge in the transitional journey, not just for the UK organisation, but for the fledgling Marketing team. We have taken the team forward to become a modern, professional, dynamic marketing function that utilises up to date technology.”
Tim has a clear view of why he continues to be part of the team, “We collaborate well in an inclusive environment where everyone is valued. No day is the same and it never gets boring because we just need to deliver above and beyond. It’s always a challenge, we are moving forward to modernise how we work, but we must keep steering on that path to continuously keep up with innovation. Reaching 150 years demonstrates Konica Minolta's true heritage, determination, and success. We are definitely bigger than the sum of our parts.”

Design Consultant, Matthew Yeo, joined Konica Minolta in 2013 and works closely with customers to understand their requirements to provide them with the best possible software solutions. He commented, “Ever since I first joined the print industry, when I worked for a dealer with many different manufacturers, I thought Konica Minolta was the best.”
Matthew describes Konica Minolta as, "Modern", "Innovative", and "Forward-Thinking" and adds that it has key differentiators from its competition, “Konica Minolta has a longstanding and established set of values designed to benefit both customers and society at large. This demonstrates our desire to show a responsibility for the world we live in. The 150 Years Anniversary is testament to a business that has been able to continually adapt, innovate, and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of society as technology advances at an incredible speed. I am very proud to be a part of this.”