Special programmes, activities and events across the country mark the special occasion. Mr. Katsuhisa Asari, MD, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India speaks about the company’s 150-year legacy.
Konica Minolta is celebrating 150-year milestone globally. Konica Minolta Business Solutions India has a line-up of events, special activities and programmes to mark the special milestone. Enumerating some of the key initiatives, Mr. Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, says, “In the commemoration of Konica Minolta’s unparalleled 150-year legacy, our commitment to environmental excellence shines through our PRAYAAS sustainability program.”
“Witness the grandeur as we plant 150 trees at every branch across India, a living testament to our unwavering devotion to environmental stewardship. Simultaneously, the launch of Print Xpress, covering a staggering 150+ T3/T4 towns, heralds a new era. Embracing our ever-youthful spirit, the initiation of the new Journey of Campus Hiring welcomes not just individuals but heralds a transformation, with 15+ exceptional talents gracing our ranks,” he explains.
The unique PrintXpress initiative reached the remote areas with technology access for newer customers. “Embarking on an odyssey of success, PrintXpress emerges as a beacon of innovation, captivating audiences through dynamic social media engagement, substantial customer attendance, and an impressive surge in inquiries,” informs Mr. Katsuhisa Asari. “This initiative, coupled with the Bharat Anusandan – Print Entrepreneur program, ingeniously addresses unmet needs in targeted regions, resonating with the diverse aspirations of our burgeoning customer base,” he adds.
Describing the PrintXpress success, he says, “Behold the resounding success as PrintXpress propels us into a realm of triumph, with over 3000+ inquiries heralding a stupendous surge in awareness. Our absolute No.1 position stands unwavering, a testament to the unwavering dedication and success that PrintXpress has shown in the fertile grounds of the regions it covers.” During the PrintXpress campaign of 5 months, spread across 48,000+ kilometres of the country, attendees experienced the vast potential and applications of digital printing and print-on-demand, realizing the economic feasibility of Konica Minolta’s Production Printers.
PrintXpress not only strengthened customer relations but also educated industry people regarding futuristic solutions and technologies. “PrintXpress transcends conventional boundaries, acting as a powerful catalyst in strengthening customer relations,” says Mr. Katsuhisa Asari. According to him, it’s not merely a printing initiative, but a transformative journey addressing unmet needs in T3/T4 regions, providing not just solutions but firsthand experiences that resonate with Konica Minolta customers and educate industry professionals on the avant-garde of futuristic solutions.
Konica Minolta has recently partnered with Funtech Innovation to provide smart office solutions. Mr. Katsuhisa Asari calls the partnership a seismic shift, “propelling Konica Minolta into the echelons of providing cutting-edge smart office solutions.” Targeting the enterprise segment, this collaboration addresses the ever-evolving needs for hybrid/WFH setups and smarter workspace solutions through the revolutionary Unified Communication Solutions. Currently, the scope of the collaboration entails Konica Minolta lending distribution and service support to FunTech Innovations.
PRAYAAS – Konica Minolta environment commitment
“The PRAYAAS initiative inspires both our team and customers to commit to environmental sustainability,” says Mr. Katsuhisa Asari. The PRAYAAS plantation drive marks a step forward in Konica Minolta’s decarbonization goal of planting 4000 trees by 2023, across 13 cities. Konica Minolta has streamlined corporate strategy to offset CO2 emissions generated through business operations, across clients, vendors, and suppliers. The company is initiating several go green initiatives as part of its CSR intervention wherein it is focusing upon projects related to – EV’s, Solar Panels and Check Dams. These projects will help Konica Minolta offset the carbon footprint and become a more sustainable brand by utilizing natural resources more efficiently.
“Committing to reducing CO2 emissions throughout the product lifecycle to Carbon Minus by 2030, Konica Minolta also adheres to the tenet of ‘promoting restoration and preservation of biodiversity’ as stated in the organization’s Eco Vision 2030,” adds Mr. Katsuhisa Asari. “Konica Minolta is dedicated to delivering an expression of responsible action in mitigating climate change while aligning to the organization’s long-term vision. Predictively, our horizon stretches towards uncharted territories, harmonizing with global sustainability goals. Our local recycling initiatives include partnering with NGOs like Goonj, where we conducted a donation drive in collaboration with them, in November. We collaborated with Ecoverva Recycling India, an e-waste management organization. In our vision ahead, we plan to initiate several go-green initiatives as part of our CSR intervention, focusing on projects related to – EVs, Solar Panels and Check Dams. These projects will help us to accelerate our Carbon Minus status and become a more sustainable brand by utilizing natural resources more efficiently,” he elaborates.
Talking about the latest launches by Konica Minolta in India, he reveals, “Behold the unveiling of Konica Minolta’s latest marvels in India—a symphony of innovation featuring Ifoil for MGI, AL400, and Unified Communication Solutions. These groundbreaking launches transcend conventional boundaries, catering to diverse segments and ushering in a new era of unparalleled excellence within our product portfolio.”
The previous financial year has been a good year for Konica Minolta in India. According to Mr. Katsuhisa Asari, “It was not just a good year but an extraordinary one—a meteoric rise with a double-digit growth, the highest turnover in our illustrious 13-year history in India. The current fiscal year is an unrelenting continuation of this economic crescendo.”
The colossal footprint of Konica Minolta’s products and solutions, etch a narrative that spans more than 40k locations across diverse industry segments. “This isn’t just a numerical statistic; it’s a testament to the pervasive embrace and resounding preference our offerings enjoy across enterprises, commercial printers, jobbers, photo labs, government institutions, packaging entities, and beyond,” declares Mr. Katsuhisa Asari.
Printing technologies and changing face of Printing
Digital Printing is already making a big share in the growth for printers or print service providers and is playing an important role in short-run printing or variable data printing. It is helping to improve the overall efficiency of the print shop floor. There are 2 basic technologies Electrophotography and Inkjet. “Both are important for the growth in the customer environments. Short-run requirements are being catered for by Electrophotography and Longer runs using inkjet,” observes Mr. Katsuhisa Asari.
Key industry events for Konica Minolta this year have been: Label Expo Brussels, LMAI Conference, Print Expo Chennai, Kerala Print Pack, Digi Image Expo, Print Pack South and Photo Expos across India. Upcoming planned events include: CEIF Photo Fair & PAMEX – High Chroma Product and Applications in the former and Elaborate range of Production & Industrial Engines along with application in the latter. “KM shall be demonstrating a range of Printing and Embellishment products in the upcoming exhibitions. The key technologies remain in digital and the user friendliness of adopting the Digital Technology to help the printers improve the efficiency of the print shop floor,” shares Mr. Katsuhisa Asari.
He concludes by saying, “As we stand on the precipice of the future, let our unwavering commitment echo across the corporate landscape. We don’t just seek to challenge ourselves; we aspire to redefine the paradigm. The uncharted territories of customer needs beckon, and we pledge to continue this odyssey of discovery, enhancing our product and service portfolio to meet the ever-evolving needs of our valued customers.”
