Ricoh – Consolidated Results for the year ended March 31, 2014

Ricoh Company of Japan reported robust financial results for its fiscal year 2014 ending March 31, 2014, with net sales of 2,236.9 billion yen, a 16.2 percent year-over-year increase, and net income of 72.8 billion yen, a 124.3 percent increase. The company said it enjoyed higher sales of color MFPs, color production-printing systems, managed document services, and expanded IT services sales. Structural reform also contributed to a sharp increase in profit, as did the weaker Japanese yen.

Download the full presentation HERE

Within Ricoh’s Imaging and Solutions group, sales were up for all segments for fiscal 2014 versus the previous fiscal year:

• Sales of Network System Solutions were up 47.5 percent.
• Sales of Production Printers were up 25.9 percent.
• Sales in the Office Imaging group (MFPs, printers, and Managed Document Services) were up 11.1 percent. However, when adjusted to take into account the affect of favorable yen currency-exchange rates, sales for this segment were down 2.5 percent versus the previous fiscal year. Managed Document Services and color office MFPs recorded the greatest gains.

Except for color office printers, within MFPs, printer, and production printers, sales of color units were up among all segments, while sales of black-and-white units declined:

• Sales of black-and-white MFPs were down 13 percent, while sales of color MFPs were up 4 percent.
• Sales of black-and-white office printers were down 3 percent, while sales of color office printers were down 8 percent.
• Sales of black-and-white production printers were down 5 percent, while sales of color production printers were up 34 percent.

Ricoh notes that the weaker yen helped contribute to its overseas earnings, and that there was also strong growth in Japan. Sales in the Americas increased by 19 percent, while sales in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa increased by 23.2 percent. Sales in the Other region, which includes China, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, increased by 27.2 percent.

 

 

 

 

 

Analysis provided by Terry Wirth

 

Konica Minolta focuses on digital production opportunities

Konica Minolta showcased its KM-1 B2+ UV inkjet colour press for digital short-run production at Ipex last month.

It says it will enable commercial printers to expand their print applications with larger sheet sizes for 3-panel and 4- panel brochures, pocket folders, posters, point-of-purchase graphics, dust jackets, wrap-around book covers and even light packaging applications at the speed of up to 3,300 sheets per hour.

The KM-1 is designed for fast turnaround, high quality and reliable colour printing.

The company said it wants to become the number one specialist in the mid-production colour print systems in terms of print volume.

Current infoSource figures for fiscal year 2013 show that Konica Minolta has further strengthened its number one position in the European production printing market.

In Western Europe the company has achieved a market share of 54 % (MIF) and its position in the Eastern European market the market share is 65 % (MIF).

In another technology showcase, the company is demonstrating roll-to-roll label printing at up to 18m/min with its Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C70RLC.

Olaf Lorenz, general manager, international marketing division, Konica Minolta business solutions Europe, said the ‘classical’ digital business from commercial and industrial printers is moving from analogue to digital – with numerous opportunities from which additional business can be generated.

“While the offset market still covers €107bn [£88bn] of revenue, digital only covers €7.7bn [£6.3bn]. Digital colour print is set to experience a compound annual growth rate of about 4% until 2017. With this knowledge, Konica Minolta decided to expand its reach into new markets and increase its product portfolio, as we are committed to the printing industry and convinced it has a bright future,” he said.

 

 

 

Original article by: Waqas Qureshi

Konica Minolta Inc. – Management Policy Briefing

 

Transform 2016

Main Aims of KM Management Integration:

1. Outstrip rivals as a top tier company amid intense global competition

2. Realize sustainable growth by continually innovating the top of the genre

3. Enhance the KM brand by evolving the company’s DNA (Make a company to be proud of)

Read the full Briefing HERE

 

Notification of OpenSSL vulnerability (update)

Dear our valued customers,

Thank you very much for you continued patronage of Konica Minolta products.
Various media have reported that a security bug (“Heartbleed”) has been found in OpenSSL, a cryptographic communication of open source libraries used in Internet communication.
Konica Minolta has been verifying the usage conditions and safety of OpenSSL (technology) in our business information products, and investigation has been completed for the following products.

Please click here to check the latest status list

About devices verified as vulnerable (Technical information)

Important

About TWAIN driver update
We have verified the use of the target OpenSSL version with the TWAIN driver for scanning.
But as its mechanism only connects to MFPs, we have had a security-related third-party evaluation organisation confirm that it is not affected by the indicated vulnerability this time.
However as a precaution, Konica Minolta will provide an updated version of the TWAIN driver on the below Website from 19 April 2014. We apologise for the inconvenience, but replacing the current version of the TWAIN driver with the updated version will be securer.

• Target software

  “KONICA MINOLTA TWAIN driver for Windows XP/Vista/7/8”
  Target versions: Ver. 4.0.06000 (released around April 2013) to Ver. 4.0.12100 (common with HDD TWAIN driver)

• Release of updated version

  Availability: From 19 April 2014
  Product name: “KONICA MINOLTA TWAIN driver for Windows XP/Vista/7/8 (common with HDD TWAIN driver)” (Ver. 4.0.13100)

HDD TWAIN Driver (updated version)

Real Time Mode TWAIN Driver / TWAIN Driver (updated version)

We will continue to inform the latest status regarding this issue on our Website on an ongoing basis.
We will also continually gather information regarding security vulnerability and take appropriate actions.

Fluid Print adds digital firepower with new bizhub

Fluid Print has taken delivery of its first digital press, with installation of a new Konica Minolta bizhub Press C1070 underway at the company.

The Newcastle-upon-Tyne company was set up six months ago, and up until now had been sub-contracting its sheetfed digital output.

It chose the 71ppm bizhub C1070 after evaluating a raft of options. The press was delivered on 23rd April.

The C1070 is one of the new range of bizhub presses launched at Ipex. The models feature new imaging and toner technology. Fluid Print is one of the first companies in the UK to install a C1070.

“We like its simplicity and ease-of-use, the colour matching technology is very impressive and the tints are smooth and precise,” said Fluid Print director Graham Bartlett, who also praised the bizhub’s EFI Fiery frontend.

The 10-employee firm provides a range of digital print services, and also runs large-format kit from Mimaki and Epson.

The £100,000 investment in the new Konica Minolta kit includes some adaptations to the firm’s building.

Bartlett said that installation and training would be completed this week. The firm will use the new press to produce high-quality short-run print for a wide range of clients.

Konica Minolta market development manager Mark Hinder said: “It’s a great example of Konica Minolta’s new technology enabling our customers’ businesses.”

 

 

Original Article By Jo Francis

Konica Minolta on the Move.

Konica Minolta is proud to announce the launch of the “Konica Minolta on the Move” campaign.

On the 24th of April, the official launch will take place of the “Konica Minolta on the Move” campaign in Nairobi, Kenya.

During this campaign 15 busses will be featuring two of the product ranges of Konica Minolta – Office Printing Solutions and Production Printing Solutions – in a full bus wrap.

The project is the first of its kind for Konica Minolta globally and also the largest full bus wrap project ever under taken in Kenya to date. Through this, the market leader in the office colour segment (A3 and A4) in Europe as well as in the mid-production colour print systems (Production Printing) expresses its commitment to the growing market of Kenya.

The campaign “Konica Minolta on the Move is conducted together with the local Konica Minolta partner, Express Automation, in order to raise brand awareness and to change the perception of the Konica Minolta brand.

Local based company, Tria – Transit Media, was responsible for the execution of the full vehicle wrap on all vehicles.

The campaign will be launched with a convoy from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport towards Kencom, followed by a press tour.

 

Itinerary 24th of April:

10.30 am	Start of the Konica Minolta bus convoy at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
11.30 am	Konica Minolta convoy arrives at Kencom to collect the invited press.
12.45 pm	Arrival at Pride Inn Hotel, Westlands Road for Media Briefing.
01.00pm	Addressing of the press by representatives from Konica Minolta, Express Automation and Tria – Transit Media.
01.15pm	Photo opportunity, Q&A and flagging off of the busses.
01.30pm	Printing Demonstration of Konica Minolta machines.
01.45pm	Lunch and refreshments
02.30pm	Return to Kencom with Konica Minolta bus for all attendees.

 

Y Soft and Konica Minolta showcase SafeQ v5 at the Bahrain IT Expo

As part of the continuing business development activities in the Middle East region with Konica Minolta, Y Soft Middle East were pleased to be able to showcase SafeQ v5 at the Bahrain IT Expo, being held at Bahrain International Circuit (famous for Formula One).

The e-Government forum, IT Expo and diversified workshops are organised, planned and designed to guarantee an overwhelming comprehensive ICT experience to all attendees and participants from the different categories ranging from regular visitors from the local community seeking pure knowledge, skills and interested to learn about the latest in the ICT area to businessmen and companies pursuing multilevel business ventures and opportunities.

Y Soft Middle East has partnered with Almoayyed Commercial Services, the Bahrain Konica Minolta distributor and has seen many Government, Education and Corporate customers visit our stand to hear about SafeQ v5 new features. Of particular interest is Y Soft Payment System which has raised significant attention to some major Universities and Polytechnics in Bahrain, focusing on cost recovery and credit allocation for students and staff. The self-recharging Payment Machine was also seen as a key differentiator for SafeQ and Y Soft Middle East and Almoayyed Commercial Services will be working closely to demonstrate the Payment Machine, which supports the local Bahrain currency.

“The IT Expo will enrich and strengthen the country’s technological exposure to the most modern,high-tech enhancements” Nawaf Abdulrahman, Chairman.

Shimadzu, Konica Minolta Agreement Expands AeroDR Portable Wireless to MobileArt X-Ray Systems

Shimadzu Medical Systems USA announced an agreement with Konica Minolta Medical Imaging to expand the availability of the AeroDR portable wireless solution to MobileArt portable X-ray systems. The new wireless mobile imaging solution will be available in two configurations — one with a column-mounted interface (MobileArt AeroDR-c), and the other with an integrated console interface (MobileArt AeroDR-i).

“Konica Minolta is pleased to expand our relationship with Shimadzu and bring advanced digital imaging technology to more clinical users,” says Diane Hunt, vice president, Konica Minolta Medical Imaging. “A key tenant of our Primary Imaging Solutions business is to provide clinicians with the tools they need to deliver cost-effective, high-quality imaging services that enhance the delivery of care.”

“Shimadzu has built a reputation for providing high-performance imaging solutions and this agreement with Konica Minolta is part of that commitment,” says Frank Serrao, North America marketing manager, Shimadzu Medical Systems USA. “We listened to our customers, who told us they wanted options for integrating and mounting the interface console. Konica Minolta takes a similar approach to delivering solutions that meet customers’ needs, so it was logical for us to work together to that end.”

The MobileArt AeroDR systems offer multiple flat panel detector (FPD) choices for a variety of uses and purposes, including HQ and standard resolution 14-inch x 17-inch panel sizes, as well as a smaller 10 x 12 HQ FPD for pediatric NICU, or dual FPD solutions.

The Aero DR portable retrofit systems have been designed to quickly, easily and inexpensively turn current Shimadzu MobileArt portable X-ray units into a digital wireless solution. This retrofit solution has a small footprint (384 mm x 384 mm x 72 mm) and is small enough to be installed and stored inside the cassette storage bin. It is completely self-contained and includes two long-life batteries for self-powering operation.

Five hundred trees for Rethabiseng in honour of World Water Day

Names left to right: Sipho Mathe, Food & Trees for Africa representative Tinashe Mutoredzanwa, Trees and Carbon Programme Manager at Food & Trees for Africa Kate Cunningham, Bidvest Communications Gavin Smith, Centurion Branch Manager at Konica Minolta South Africa

Rethabiseng township, in Bronkhorstspruit, is set to bloom over the coming months as the community received a bumper delivery of 500 tree saplings as part of Food & Trees for Africa’s (FTFA) Trees for Homes project. Crowds of community members turned out in force for the hand over on Monday, 24 March. Bidvest company, Konica Minolta South Africa funded the trees in honour of World Water Day, on 22 March. Ten local community educators (CEs), trained by FTFA, handed out 250 fruit trees and 250 indigenous shade trees to the community residents to plant in their gardens, along with instructions on the planting and care of the trees. Sarah (pictured), a community resident, was delighted to receive her peach tree. Like many others in Rethabiseng, she is currently unemployed and plans to sell the peaches when her tree starts to bear fruit in a bid to generate an income for her family.   As well as a potential source of sustainable income for many households, the tree planting project will improve the environmental health of the community and make it a greener, more pleasant place to live.   Staff from Konica Minolta South Africa’s Pretoria sales office planted a tree at the Rethabiseng sustainable farm to honour the event. The day marks an incredible six years of support for FTFA by Konica Minolta South Africa, in which it has funded the planting of more than 18,000 trees in some of the most impoverished areas in South Africa.   Ritchi Smith, marketing co-ordinator, said, “The planting of trees is a really important part of Konica Minolta South Africa‘s efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and it’s great to be here to see the positive impact on the community.”   The day also served as a good opportunity for community members and funders alike to witness the progress of another impressive FTFA project, the Rethabiseng Sustainable Farm, which hosted the hand over.  Run by a cooperative of six local people, it is a FTFA’s FEED Africa (Farmer Eco Enterprise Development) project, which supports emerging organic farmers through land and infrastructure development, training and mentoring support, to take produce to local, super and international markets. In the three years since starting as a bare patch of land, the farm now employs 35 people and grows a large number of vegetables for major markets, with exports going as far as Germany.   Tinashe Mutoredzanwa, FTFA’s Trees for Homes programme manager said, “Our projects won’t just contribute to providing a better living environment for Rethabiseng residents, through Konica Minolta South Africa’s ongoing support we are reaching out to all areas of the community and providing holistic, sustainable development support to grow food, farmers and fortunes.”

Xerox Q1 2014, Profit Declines 5% on Document-Technology Weakness

Xerox Corp. XRX +0.44% said its first-quarter earnings fell 5.1% as revenue from the company’s document-technology business continued to shrink.

The company trimmed its full-year adjusted earnings expectations, now forecasting $1.07 to $1.13 a share, from its prior view of $1.10 to $1.16 a share. For the second quarter, Xerox predicted adjusted earnings of 25 cents to 27 cents a share, while analysts estimated 28 cents a share.

While long known for its paper copiers and printers, Xerox has been working to transition into a company focused on document management, bill processing and IT outsourcing services. The transformation, however, has faced challenges, including falling sales of printers and copiers and the significant costs of expanding its services business.

Xerox reported income of $281 million, down from $296 million a year earlier. Per-share earnings were flat at 23 cents due to fewer shares outstanding in the latest period. Excluding amortization of intangible assets, earning were 27 cents a share in both quarters. The company in January predicted adjusted earnings of 23 cents to 25 cents.

Revenue sank 1.6% to $5.12 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected $5.15 billion.

Revenue from the company’s services business, which represented 57% of revenue, was flat year-over-year at $2.9 billion. Xerox’s document-technology business, which represented 40% of total revenue, fell 4% to $2 billion.

 

 

Original article by: Ben Fox Rubin