Katsuhisa Asari on Konica Minolta’s path to global influence in label printing

India, 17 August,2023: In an insightful conversation with The Packman, Katsuhisa Asari, managing director of Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, delves into the upcoming developments in the realm of label printing. Additionally, he highlights Konica Minolta’s pivotal role in shaping this landscape. Asari also elaborates on Konica Minolta’s commitment to sustainability and outlines strategic endeavors aimed at fortifying its position and extending its worldwide influence. Here is a snippet from the insightful interview.

Manash Das: In a rapidly changing technological landscape, how does Konica Minolta stay at the forefront of innovation in the digital label press market?

Katsuhisa Asari: Digital label press printing has the potential to revolutionize the importance of labels for a product. Digital control is significantly easier compared to conventional analog systems. Additionally, with the convenience of a touchscreen control panel, you can effortlessly queue jobs, leading to quicker reprints and increased cost-effectiveness. The AccurioLabel 400 represents Konica Minolta India’s latest advancement in the digital label printing domain, following the success of AccurioLabel 230, a top-selling digital label press worldwide. Designed to cater to label converters and professional print providers with higher print volumes, the AccurioLabel 400 offers enhanced print speeds, white toner capabilities, longer print runs, and user-friendly automation tools. This solution offers exceptional productivity, brilliant image quality, and surprisingly intuitive operation.

Manash Das: How does Konica Minolta approach sustainability in its manufacturing processes and product offerings?

Katsuhisa Asari: At the heart of Konica Minolta’s growth and creation of new businesses is the directive of sustainability. The group has a larger Environmental Management System in place that comprises three policies – KM Environmental Policy, Environmental Management Concept, and Eco Vision 2050. Additionally, Konica Minolta forecasts to become Zero Carbon by 2050. Addressing climate change, Konica Minolta’s CO2 emissions are projected to decrease by 2,067 thousand tonnes of carbon by 2050, which will be a 100% reduction in carbon emissions for the Konica Minolta Group.

Further, when developing a new product, the Konica Minolta Group identifies the impact the product would have on the environment throughout its lifecycle, from its manufacture and distribution to its use and disposal, while setting evaluation criteria and carrying out assessments. This rigorous process has ensured that Konica Minolta complies with the most recent environmental laws, effectively manages hazardous chemical substances, improves the environmental performance of its products, and complies with various countries’ environmental labeling schemes.

Manash Das: How does Konica Minolta address customer needs and market demand effectively?

Katsuhisa Asari: A printing enterprise encounters a swiftly evolving market where the demands involve introducing fresh services while simultaneously reducing expenses through digital printing. Leveraging Konica Minolta’s extensive expertise and dominant market presence in professional printing, associated businesses can access our bespoke, top-notch printing solutions meticulously designed to suit business requisites.

The Accurio Label brand, encompassing Konica Minolta’s forefront professional printing systems and software for labels, packaging, embellishments, and more; mirrors our sophisticated, automated, and precision-driven essence. These solutions elevate routine technological tasks with time-saving measures while minimizing human intervention to reduce errors, waste, and production expenditures.

Digital Label Press Solutions prepares these small businesses for the challenges of evolution of tomorrow. Consequently, labels of all kinds are one of the fastest growing sectors in the printing industry, along with flexible packaging, averaging around 4-6% per annum growth worldwide for at least the last 30 years.

Manash Das: How does Konica Minolta ensure the quality and reliability of its digital label presses, and what kind of support does the company offer to its customers?

Katsuhisa Asari: For each business associated, we prefer tailoring the products and services to meet specific customer needs and challenges, ensuring a personalized and effective approach. This involves streamlining workflows and processes through automation and integration, enabling customers to achieve higher productivity and reduced costs. Our consultants offer expert guidance to help customers navigate through market changes, technological advancements, and industry trends.

We are overt endorsers of training and education among customers to help them improve operational efficiency and productivity. With continuous innovation, we are able to pioneer and create segmented solutions that address emerging challenges and opportunities in the market. Konica Minolta is prompt in offering responsive technical support to address any issues, troubleshoot problems, and ensure uninterrupted operations.

In line with our Zero Carbon 2050 Goals, we are constantly introducing eco-friendly practices and solutions to help customers reduce their environmental footprint and meet sustainability goals. Our heritage of 150 years positions us as leaders in the industry, which helps us create platforms for customers to connect, share insights, and collaborate with peers to foster a sense of community and knowledge exchange. Futuristic innovation and forecasting disruptions is essential in the land of volatile tech development. Our data volume allows us to provide customers with valuable market insights, research, and analysis to help them make informed decisions and stay competitive.

Manash Das: Can you provide insights into the R&D efforts at Konica Minolta that contribute to the continuous improvement of digital label press technologies?

Katsuhisa Asari: Konica Minolta is dedicated to serving worldwide customers and aiding individuals in achieving their aspirations. We accomplish this through our 5 co-creation sites and 19 development bases worldwide. In Japan, we prioritize the advancement of four core technologies (imaging, materials, optics, and nanofabrication) in conjunction with IoT to cater to diverse demands. Moreover, we’re engaged in crafting AI solutions and digital services for offices and the digital sector across Europe and the United States, fostering global cooperation and capitalizing on our regional strengths.

For example, a printing device occasionally causes variations in colors and printing positions due to environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, so operators have had to adjust colors and printing positions appropriately before or during printing. They also check each sheet of printed matter after printing. However, our innovative IQ-501 is equipped with scanners that can read the entire area of paper and a spectrophotometer for accurately measuring color. This combination enables customers to constantly scan images while printing, reduce the chrominance ⊿E00 between the start of printing and any point during printing through real-time corrections, and inspect printed matter for defects such as micron-order stain.

The IQ-501 helps solve issues that customers have long assumed they had to fix, by combining various imaging, measurement, optics, and machinery technologies. Our commitment persists in addressing customer challenges and delivering societal value by synergizing Konica Minolta’s technological prowess with our partners’ expertise and business channels.

Manash Das: With the rising popularity of digital printing, how do you see the future of the label printing industry, and what role does Konica Minolta play in shaping that future?

Katsuhisa Asari: We will be contributing to the role of innovators and disruptors in the digital printing space in the future. Our two million customer base and proactive research and development efforts inform each other. For example, AccurioLabel 400 Digital Label Press offers a high space utility factor with high productivity. This is powered by the tech of proprietary Color Management facility, in which imaging units of the respective colors CYMK maintained within accepted Delta levels. The machines also have the option to add additional white to expand the application opportunities for the customers.

Additionally, Konica Minolta formulated a technological feat that allowed the machine to produce a high-image-quality development process, without the brushing noise. This was achieved using Two development rollers softly brush on photoreceptors to visualize electrostatic latent images with high fidelity. Konica Minolta designed the mechanism and developed devices based on its wealth of expertise.

Manash Das: In what ways does Konica Minolta engage with its customers to understand their requirements and tailor solutions to meet their specific needs?

Katsuhisa Asari: Konica Minolta customizes business solutions on three parameters – Managed Content Services, Optimized Print services, and Print Management.

Under Managed Content Services, our solutions help the business customize communication within and outside the organization by solving business problems. Under this, we cater to Enterprise Content Management, Business Process Automation, Robotic Process Automation and Document Capture. Synchronizing an online work desk for internal communications, while automating manual business processes depends on the scale of operations and employee network.

Konica Minolta’s Optimised Print Services (OPS) combine consulting, hardware, software implementation and workflow management to lower document spend. The OPS concept focuses on four essential areas – Right-sizing the document output fleet to actual business needs, analyzing all business-relevant document flows in order to increase productivity, Offering different purchasing and leasing options as well as various contract models, Designing and implementing IT and information security solutions, as well as Supporting a company’s sustainability goals by implementing the most environmentally friendly document-related hardware and business workflows.

Print management allows the business to eliminate print waste and reduce costs with print management, solutions, to monitor and control your document output behavior. These parameters are customizable as per the customer, to create seamless business security, document protection and internal communication solutions.

Manash Das: As a digital label press manufacturer, what strategic initiatives does Konica Minolta have in place to further strengthen its position and expand its global presence?

Katsuhisa Asari: Konica Minolta is present in over 150 countries, with over 45,000 employees. Konica Minolta does 1,130.4 billion Japanese Yen annually. Our core technologies are Materials, Nanofabrication, Optics, and Imaging, that is bifurcated into solutions for digital workspace, professional print, and the healthcare industry. Konica Minolta has been an innovator, disruptor, segment creator and assimilator in the tech landscape for over 150 years. We as leaders shall continue to rely on sustainable growth in our research and technological developments to continue to forecast, disrupt and bolster the printing market globally.

Print Expo 2023: Konica Minolta showcases game-changing print solutions

India, 11 August,2023: Konica Minolta made a successful product exhibition at the Print Expo 2023, held in Chennai recently. At the show, the company showcased its entry-level LPP to HPP models, including C4065, C4080, C7100, and C12000, along with a mono engine 6120. The company also focused on gaining momentum through its label printer AL230 and AS3600 with iFoil One for the print enhancement.

At the heart of Konica Minolta’s exhibition were the innovative production print engines, industrial print engines and office multi-functional range, presenting an impressive lineup of products that cater to the specific needs of corporates, production, and packaging companies.

Among the machines showcased, the AccurioPress C12000 boasts durable performance with up to 450-g/m² in simplex and duplex printing. Its high productivity allows printing at up to 120 A4 ppm (C12000), and its ready-made print products offer automated inline business card printing, full bleed, and much more. With an image quality of 3,600×2,400-dpi resolution, this powerhouse truly stands out.

Meanwhile, the AccurioShine 3600 + iFoilOne highlight the pinnacle of industrial print technology using inkjet technology to create eye-catching effects on the documents and add value by creating 2D, 3D UV effects including inline foil.

On the other hand, AccurioLabel 230 is a digital label printing system that offers enhanced productivity, job flexibility, operability, and excellent image quality at an affordable cost. With a selection of per-minute speeds of 23.4-, 18.9-, 13.5- and 9.45-m, a resolution of 1,200-dpix8-bit with 256 gradations expressed in 1 pixel, and the Simitri HD E toner technology that incorporates functional polymers, it is perfectly suited for businesses who want to integrate digital printing with their analogue systems.

Katsuhisa Asari, managing director at Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, said, “We are thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response received during Print Expo 2023. Our showcased products, across all three segments of production, industrial and office print portfolio, garnered significant interest and appreciation from key industry stakeholders. We believe our innovative solutions are perfectly aligned with the demands of today’s rapidly evolving printing and packaging landscape.

He added that by participating in Print Expo 2023, Konica Minolta has reaffirmed its commitment to deliver state-of-the-art print solutions that empower businesses, enhance productivity, and drive success across various industries.

The Print Expo 2023, one of South India’s foremost trade events, provided a dynamic platform for Konica Minolta to connect with a diverse range of industries that depend on printing and packaging solutions. With the market witnessing a growing demand for cost-effective, creative, qualitative, and sustainable solutions, Konica Minolta’s participation in this event proved to be a strategic move to address these evolving needs effectively.

Konica Minolta Print Xpress digital yatra covers 130 cities

India, 28 July,2023: Konica Minolta’s much-publicized Print Xpress digital yatra of four buses — containing a complete digital press with its workflow — has covered more than 130 cities. The yatra endeavors to complete 150 cities to meet new customers who are learning the benefits of digital production as well as increase brand and product awareness.

As reported earlier by Indian Printer and Publisher, the journey was flagged off in the end of March from Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR. By the latter part of May, the four Print Xpress buses had already reached more than 80 destinations for one-day demonstrations.

Titled “Print Xpress – Innovations in print, the roadshow showcases Konica Minolta’s AccurioPrint C4065 High Chroma Engine production printer, its AccurioPress C73hc, and a print finishing application zone.

Despite various logistics challenges, including the paperwork required for the transport of capital equipment across state lines, there has been considerable enthusiasm for the mobile roadshow in tier 3 and 4 towns and cities where the Print Xpress arrives in the morning, gives demonstrations throughout most of the day, and then heads to the next town or small city.

Konica Minolta says it has observed a shift in the requirement of the print volumes. The printers are also acknowledging the benefits of digital printing in the short run. In tier 1 cities, the interest in digital printing is still increasing. Economic growth across the country is having a positive impact on print consumption in all forms — digital, offset, labels, and packaging.

Progress of the Print Xpress

Manish Gupta, national marketing manager of Konica Minolta India, said the PrintXpress has so far covered more than 130 cities and aims at completing 150 cities. “The journey has been very exciting. We are meeting a lot of new customers who are learning the benefits of digital production printing. We expect this to increase brand and product awareness. We have covered almost all the states with the Print Xpress, including some in the Northeast. The major focus of this voyage is to seek more opportunities for growth while creating awareness. We aim to be the facilitators of the digital transformation that we have envisioned for the future.

Konica Minolta has been continuously expanding its portfolio to cater to the requirements of its customers and new segments such as labels and commercial printing. “Additionally, we have introduced embellishment devices to add eye-catching effects to documents. This has expanded the list of applications that can be done using digital technology. We shall continue to bring in more products into digital printing for the benefit of our customers and to be relevant to the changing dynamics of print requirements and consumption for mutual growth.

The Konica Minolta print Xpress digital yatra

India, 25 May,2023: The Konica-Minolta Print Xpress digital yatra of four buses containing a complete digital press with its workflow and attendant finishing operations was flagged off at the end of March from Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR. In the latter part of May, the four Print Xpress buses had already reached more than 80 destinations for their one-day demonstration. Titled *Print Xpress ~ Innovations in print, the roadshow showcases Konica Minolta’s AccurioPrint C4065 High Chroma Engine production printer, its AccurioPress C73hc, and a print finishing application zone.

Printers and potential customers are invited for demonstrations and down-to-earth explanations of the technology where they can examine the equipment and the finished products. They can ask questions about digital print business opportunities.

The four Print Xpress roadshow buses are expected to reach their target of one hundred towns, including those furthest away from the starting point, by the end of May. Despite various logistics challenges, including the paperwork required for the transport of capital equipment across state lines, there has been considerable enthusiasm for the mobile roadshow in each tier 3 and 4 town where the Print Xpress arrives in the morning, gives demonstrations throughout most of the day, and then trundles on to the next town or small city. In the Print Xpress bus traveling in South India, almost 100 local participants have come to see the demonstrations on a single day in many of the towns.

At Konica-Minolta India’s launch of the Print Xpress in end-March, which coincided with the company’s 150th-anniversary celebration, the company’s managing director for India Katsuhisa Asari said the roadshow – a digital press and finishing plant on wheels – aims to connect with new customers and showcase new business opportunities. “India is huge and so is its print market. This roadshow will touch base with our customers, potential customers, or curious visitors. We aim to educate lier 3 and 4 cities about the possible capabilities with digital print and how incredible their businesses can be with the right application,” Asari said.

Commenting on what he calls the Print Xpress digital yatra, Indian Printer and Publisher’s editor, Naresh Khanna said at the time of its launch, “Listening to printers across the country and interacting with them by demonstrating the latest technology can be a transformational and inspiring voyage of discovery.

For any citizen or company that dares to explore the vast potential of creativity and uses of print that a nation hungry for communication and education possesses, there is bound to be a great reward of learning. These lively interactions will enhance the power of print and democratize the business ~ creating livelihoods. The Print Xpress digital yatra will engender access to ideas, education, and technology. Print helped to bring freedom to the nation and it is essential to use it more widely to continue to build prosperity and a scientific temper.

How Eco Printing reduces carbon emissions and Helps in saving the Environment

India, 24 July,2023: Sustainability in recent years has become a hot topic for all boardroom discussions across the globe. Whether it’s a large organization or an SME, businesses across all verticals are either already in the process of investing or looking for methods that assist them in achieving their sustainability goal.

In the backdrop of this ongoing trend, the printing industry as well has changed its way of working. There are multiple areas where businesses can make changes and ensure they are on the right path toward achieving their sustainability target. Whether it is wastage, carbon footprint, or the type of materials, organisations in this segment use – these all can be reduced so that the firm can operate in a more environment-friendly way. One of the most crucial and underrated areas/components in any organisation is its printer.

Even though the majority of businesses in the post-pandemic times have already digitalised their large chunk of operations, printers continue to play a vital role in their smooth functioning. In 2021, the value of the print industry across India was over 225 billion rupees, and the report suggests that the numbers will exceed 250 billion rupees by 2024. However, the industry will still take some time to reach the pre-pandemic levels, i.e., 296 billion rupees in 2019.

The positive outlook brings a wave of relief and positivity to all participants in the printing industry. However, there still looms a threat, especially from the sustainability angle. So, how can the industry overcome the rapidly evolving scenario? The answer lies in making printing eco-friendly.

One of the ways to achieve it is by using materials that are produced from renewable energy. This primarily includes paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and inks that are made from plant-based material. Additionally, using recycled paper can greatly cut down the environmental impact of printing, as it minimises the need for virgin materials and the energy required to produce them.

Additionally, using sustainable materials and digital printing can also reduce their overall environmental impact. For instance, companies can use digital printing methods, such as online printing services and document management software, to trim down the amount of paper they use. It is worth mentioning that some of the leading Print Service Providers (PSPs) are finding solutions and technologies that support the printing/graphics industry as it shifts to a more sustainable future.

Today, digital printing uses inkjet or toner-based printing technology to produce a wide range of high-quality prints with a minimal environmental impact. This is because digital printing does not require the use of traditional printing plates, which can generate a large amount of waste. Additionally, digital printing uses less energy than traditional offset printing, which results in lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Another non-conventional printing method used by PSPs and print converters is variable data printing (VDP). It enables businesses to provide personalization of each printed piece, which can be beneficial in reducing the amount of waste generated during the printing process. With the presence of VDP and digital printing, PSPs today are positioned better to provide tailored assistance to the customer, which automatically slashes the need for reprints or discarded materials.

Finally, assisting environmentalists and governments in reducing carbon emissions is the need of the hour. The printing industry can take the rising global temperature as a nature’s slap on the wrist. Therefore, it is imperative to bring boardroom conversations and targets into reality. The big question remains, from where to start? Businesses in the space can begin by encouraging their employees and peers to recycle paper, cardboard, and other office waste. Using sustainable materials, energy-efficient equipment/machine, and sustainable printing practices can help to minimize the environmental impact of printing while also reducing costs and improving efficiency. By working together, the industry can create a difference, making the future of the printing industry more sustainable.

Konica Minolta India Hosts Annual Strategic Partner Conference 2023, Focusing on Tech Innovations and Growth

• ‘Powering Growth’ Theme Inspires Over 170+ Partners to Connect and Collaborate

• Konica Minolta Management Shares Strategies for Sustaining Growth and Building Strong Relationships with Partners

India(New Delhi), 16 May,2023: Konica Minolta India, a leader in providing digital transformation solutions and services, recently hosted its Annual strategic Partner Conference at Alila Diwa, Goa. The event was centred around the theme of “Powering Growth” and featured dialogues on the latest tech innovations in the industry and their potential to be scaled to Konica Minolta’s realm of operations.

The conference, held on April 24th, 2023, provided a platform for over 170+ partners from across India to connect, discuss the latest trends in the industry, and share their vision for the future. During the session, the Konica Minolta management team communicated their strategy to sustain the growth path of the company and add more power to the growth path as a family. The session covered dialogues around the latest tech interventions in the industry, providing partners with insights into the latest industry trends.

Speaking about the annual partner conference and its importance for the brand, Mr. Katsuhisa Asari Managing Director of Konica Minolta India said, ” Partners are the backbone of the company. We are always eager to connect with our valued Partner Community to understand their unique challenges and opportunities. The conference provides a platform for us to connect with our partners, understand the latest industry trends, and share our vision for the future. We are committed to providing our partners with the latest cutting-edge solutions and services, as well as building stronger relationships, to create a better future for the industry.”

During the conference, partners were also felicitated for their achievements, recognizing the important role they play in Konica Minolta’s growth journey. The partners also aligned with the company’s growth strategy and shared their commitment to achieving new heights as a family.

The event witnessed over 170+ partners from across geographies in PAN India, making it a great success for Konica Minolta India. This conference was an opportunity for Konica Minolta India to strengthen its relationship with its partners and take the collaboration to the next level.

Konica Minolta Inida Brings Enrichments To it’s Managed Content Solutions Offering

India, 17 April,2023: Konica Minolta India, a prominent provider of digital transformation solutions and services, continues to support businesses in transitioning from paper-based systems to seamless digital solutions and services. As part of this commitment, the company has announced major enrichments to its Managed Content Services (MCS) portfolio to provide features with low-code automation capabilities, aimed at empowering Indian firms to improve their Document life-cycle management and Business Process Management (BPM).

Konica Minolta India, through their MCS offerings, leverages its unified enterprise-wide solutioning platforms and adds value through its consultation-based approach to tailor make solutions to fit their customer’s business requirements. With their current enrichments, the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) mode of deployment can be leveraged by organisations looking to accelerate their Digital Transformation journey with minimal hassle and quicker ROI. To ensure secured cloud deployments, these solutions are hosted in Tier-4 datacentres meeting the best of industry standards.

Speaking about the anticipated launch Mr. Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta India, said, ” At Konica Minolta, we are always eager to gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges our clients face to enhance productivity. After comprehending their content management and utilization requirements, we are delighted to introduce our unique software to the Indian market. MCS offerings can propel our clients ahead, with its out-of-the-box offerings in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. In the normal course of their operations, our clients receive documents in various formats, including hard copies and electronic versions, from multiple locations. At this juncture, MCS assumes a vital role in structuring the content in an organized manner, enabling them to optimise their workflows and achieve their objectives with greater efficiency.”

With its “low-code/no-code” process designer, rapid implementation and flexibility is the new norm that ultimately leads to an Intelligent Connected Workplace.

To further enable Rapid Implementation, Konica Minolta has biz-out-of-the-box accelerator for popular industry use cases like Accounts Payable automation, Contracts Life-cycle Management, Vendor Onboarding, Talent Acquisition and so on.

The modular design provides flexibility in terms of overall solutioning, deployment and pricing. Through these offerings, Konica Minolta will lead towards a Green Digital Transformation which is also aligned to their global sustainability goals where they aim to be ‘Carbon Minus’ by 2050. Ultimately, enrichments to its solutioning platform will aid Konica Minolta in serving their customers better leading to an efficient and paperless workplace.

Pamex 2023: Konica Minolta showcases its range of offering

At Pamex 2023, held at the Bombay Exhibition Center on 27-30 March, Konica Minolta showcased its printers to existing and potential customers and resellers.

India, 14 April,2023: Konica Minolta used the event as an opportune moment to showcase its offerings, including industrial and professional printers; in industrial printers, AccurioLabel 230, AccurioShine 3600, along with its digital die-cutting solutions and in professional printers, AccurioPress C12000 with IQ-501.

Konica Minolta emphasised the extensive benefits of its digital press, the Accurio Label 230, for its customers regarding productivity, flexibility, and stability to meet growing market needs. Overall, the company showcased six sheetfed professional printers and three industrial printers along with finishing accessories, to make pre-press to post-press setup with ample business opportunities in the printing market.

Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta India, said, “We are delighted to receive such a positive response from all potential businesses in the region. The exhibition has given us an insight into how Konica Minolta is enabling businesses in the printing segment to expand their operations. At the same time, it has given us a new viewpoints/areas in which we can develop and modify our products that further assist our user base.

He added, “We, at Konica Minolta India, believe that trust is the best medium to grow success. In tandem with this as our core value, we have well-positioned ourselves in providing office automation and digital printing solutions that aid us in bolstering our credibility amongst our esteemed partners and resellers. With our solutions and products, we are committed to assisting businesses in achieving their sustainability target.”

Konica Minolta also demonstrated their AccurioShine 3600 and AccurioPress C12000 as tools for digital label production. The AccurioShine 3600 is a pioneering technology that customers could use for building 2D and 3D gloss effects on its products. With customisation and personalisation at the forefront of Konica Minolta’s offerings, the company cater to the ever-growing demand for tailored printing solutions that enable customers to address the increasingly complex requirements of modern-day printing.