Konica Minolta Sponsors ‘CNN Heroes’ in Global Deal

Konica Minolta will sponsor a weekly ‘CNN Heroes’ segment on CNN International, CNN/US, HLN and CNN Airport Network. In addition, the sponsorship includes a special tribute show and two documentaries which will also air on the networks, with online content at www.CNNHeroes.com for both International and U.S. audiences.

Now in its eighth year, ‘CNN Heroes’ is a multi-platform campaign that shines the spotlight on individuals who go to extraordinary lengths to serve others. All of the ‘heroes’ are nominated by viewers through an online submission process. Since its inception, ‘CNN Heroes’ has received over 50,000 submissions from more than 100 countries and profiled over 200 heroes. This year’s campaign culminates in a salute to the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2014 with “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” scheduled to air Monday, December 8 (Asia time) on the global networks of CNN.

“We are delighted to again have Konica Minolta support one of our most compelling initiatives,” said William Hsu, Vice President, News Advertising Sales, CNN International Asia Pacific. “‘CNN Heroes’ highlights the many selfless efforts made by some exceptional individuals that would otherwise go unnoticed. ‘CNN Heroes’ not only educates and entertains, but also inspires. Our worldwide audience is curious and influential, and CNN is the perfect platform to connect and engage with these extraordinary heroes.”

Starting October 3, viewers in Asia will see the ‘CNN Heroes’ weekly segment, which profiles individual heroes, every Friday during News Stream and every Saturday during International Desk:

Asia (Hong Kong Time) News Stream 20:00-21:00 / International Desk 1:00-2:00
South Asia (New Delhi Time) International Desk 22:30-23:30 / News Stream 17:30-18:30
Latin America (Buenos Aires Time) News Stream 9:00-10:00 / International Desk 14:00-15:00
North America (Eastern Time) News Stream 8:00-9:00 / International Desk 13:00-14:00
Europe (Berlin Time) International Desk 19:00-20:00 / News

Brava! Konica Minolta South Africa ‘adopts’ future opera star

Names left to right: Anelisa Mahlungulu,Althen Hulme

Konica Minolta South Africa has pledged to assist a promising young opera singer in need. Cape Town branch manager, Alten Hulme heard a plea for financial assistance on a local radio station, Cape Talk, where the presenter mentioned that a 16-year-old girl with a natural talent for opera had been ‘discovered’ in a Cape Town township. With the assistance of the local community choirmaster and a charity organisation within the township, Anelisa Mahlungulu had been tested by the University of Cape Town (UCT), with the result that the institution recognised her rare gift and had advised that she needed to be enrolled in a school that would allow for university exemption. The university further identified Wynberg Girls’ High as the ideal school, but Anelisa needed financial assistance to move forward. On hearing the request, Hulme immediately sprang into action, calling the radio station and, on behalf of Konica Minolta South Africa, offered to sponsor Anelisa’s schooling and hostel costs, as well as music lessons until the end of her matric year.  Waltons, another Bidvest group company, has also agreed to fund Anelisa’s stationery, transportation and uniforms. Anelisa has since begun her third term in Grade 10 at Wynberg Girls’ High, where she has her own room in the hostel and now too has her very own bed, receives three cooked meals a day and, for the first time ever, she is now able to study at a desk. Since the initial outreach, she has performed for a number of dignitaries, including a teary-eyed Archbishop Desmond Tutu at a recent Nelson Mandela book launch. She also sang before a large audience at a Cape Town outdoor venue; her first full 90-minute performance, earning her a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. Says Hulme: “Although Konica Minolta South Africa’s primary focus is to see to it that Anelisa does well enough at school to be admitted to university, the company will also do what is needed to support her singing career. In fact, we have already been in touch with Cape Town Opera (CTO), Africa’s top opera company, which has undertaken to expose her to real opera and to assist in the learning process. “Konica Minolta South Africa already has a very strong sense of community, with several projects in place that identify and assist not only staff members’ children, but also children with potential from poorer communities. Anelisa fits perfectly into this category and we will follow our new ‘Proudly Bidvest’ and Konica Minolta South Africa protégé with great interest in the years to come,” he adds.

Konica Minolta Partnership with iSys Label Adds Entry-level Digital Label Printers to Portfolio

Konica Minolta has announced a new partnership with iSys Label, Canadian developer and manufacturer of short- to mid-run digital label printers through their North American distributor, IntoPrint Technologies.

Under the agreement, Konica Minolta will add the IntoPrint EDGE 850 and IntoPrint Eclipse LF3 to its product portfolio, starting in North America with plans to expand globally.

“This strategic partnership gives us the ability to offer production-quality digital labeling and finishing technology to our market,” says Kevin Kern, senior vice president, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “With affordable price points, both products are targeted to smaller customers who expect the same level of digital performance as larger print houses. The agreement with iSys expands our portfolio to better serve these customers’ needs.”

The EDGE 850 digital label printer was developed for the short run, on-demand label market. Compact enough to sit on a desk, it can print at speeds up to 9.14 m/min. and makes light work of printing on self-adhesive label stock, tag stock, approved films and synthetics with a media width range of 6.0” up to 8.5” and print lengths up to 700 feet. Designed for in-house production of labels, users will be capable of printing 2,000 labels in less than 20 minutes and have the finished roll ready for immediate application or finishing equipment.

The Eclipse LF3 digital cutter is a label finishing system that delivers accurate single point registration cutting with lamination, waste matrix removal, slitting and rewind system. Built for the short run, on-demand label market, the LF3 complements the EDGE 850 and allows for a complete workflow solution.

“The demand for finishing equipment has intensified, especially in the digital environment. Pairing iSys’s label printing technology with the LF3 finishing system results in a finished label that looks great but is also protected from the elements and has extra durability for repeat handling,” said Mark Hopkins, President of iSys Label.

Randy Rickert, Director of iSys Label, states “I can’t tell you how excited we are to have Konica Minolta representing the Intoprint EDGE 850. By using Konica Minolta’s existing vertical markets, we will be able to reach a larger demographic with our short run label printers in a more effective and efficient way.”

Konica Minolta will show both products in Booth #1231 at Graph Expo 14 from September 28 – October 1 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Under the theme of “The Winner’s Circle,” Konica Minolta booth #1231 will also feature the #10 Konica Minolta Chevrolet Corvette Dallara DP.

Konica Minolta will hold a press conference at Graph Expo 14 from 1-1:45 p.m. CST Sept. 28 in Room S502A, McCormick Place, Chicago, to discuss its latest technology.

To schedule a tour of Konica Minolta Graph Expo Booth #1231 and/or an executive interview, please contact Karen Harris at kharris@kmbs.konicaminolta.us.

For a complete overview of Konica Minolta’s EnvisionIT Production solutions and to access a detailed Graph Expo 14 booth map, click here.

Follow Konica Minolta at Graph Expo 14 on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtags #KMWinnersCircle and #GraphExpo.

Konica Minolta President & COO Named Executive Of The Year

Konica Minolta today announced that Rick Taylor, President and Chief Operating Officer for Konica Minolta, has been named “Executive of the Year” for the fourth consecutive year by THE CANNATA REPORT  a leading print and digital media resource for the office products and workflow solutions industry for 33 years and counting.

“What is there left to say about a man who continues to be selected, year after year, as Executive of the Year?” says Frank G. Cannata, President and Editor-in-Chief/Publisher of THE CANNATA REPORT. “It is a credit to Rick Taylor and to Konica Minolta that has given him the tools to penetrate the North American market in such a dramatic fashion. It is not uncommon for their competitors to acknowledge the outstanding job that Taylor has done in shepherding his company to new heights, each and every year he has been at the helm. We offer our sincerest congratulations for a job well done.”

This is the eighth year that Taylor has received this award, which is given based on responses by more than 275 dealers to THE CANNATA REPORT’s Annual Dealer Survey, now in its 29^th year.

“To be named ‘Executive of the Year’ is such an honor,” says Taylor. “But, to receive this award for four consecutive years is humbling. It is affirmation of Konica Minolta’s commitment to our dealer partners and to the company’s strategic vision. This honor also goes to the incredible team here at Konica Minolta, which continues to strive for superior dealer support and service.”

The awards were presented at THE CANNATA REPORT’s 29th Annual Awards and Charities Dinner on Thursday, September 18 at Meadow Wood Manor, Randolph, N.J. Imaging and document solutions industry dealers and manufacturers and prominent corporate executives were the presenters at the awards ceremony, which is attended by all major copier/printer manufacturers. MWA Intelligence and Graphtec Digital Solutions, Inc. were first official sponsors of the highly anticipated annual event.

This year’s dinner raised $188,000 to date for new beneficiary St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. The guest list of 181 industry leaders pledged $89,000. The school, which matched that amount, already provides $3.5 million in aid annually. Since 1997, THE CANNATA REPORT’s Annual Awards and Charities Dinner has raised almost $1.4 million for various charities.

Prior to joining Konica Minolta in 2008, Taylor served as President and CEO of Toshiba America Business Solutions, where he was also named “Executive of the Year” in 2001, 2003, and 2006.

Konica Minolta and MGI Preview JETvarnish 3DS in U.S.

Konica Minolta today announced the collaboration with MGI Digital Graphic Technology to bring new 3D tactile varnish finish technology to market. JETvarnish 3DS will be revealed to the U.S. at GRAPH EXPO 2014 on September 28^th – October 1^st in Chicago, IL, at Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. Booth #1231.

The JETvarnish 3DS digital spot UV 3D coater is the first achievement of MGI’s strategic alliance with Konica Minolta and was designed by MGI exclusively for the Konica Minolta sales network. The newest addition to the JETvarnish Digital Spot UV Coating line, the third generation JETvarnish has all the tactile effects and advantages of the original JETvarnish 3D with only half the size.

“We are excited to deliver the results of this strategic collaboration with MGI to develop an innovative, customer-driven solution that addresses the evolving needs of our graphic communication customers,” says Kevin Kern, senior vice president, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “We look forward to showcasing the JETvarnish 3DS at Graph Expo 14 and the future results of this key partnership.”

Designed primarily for the digital print market, the JETvarnish 3DS will make the popular 3D tactile varnish finish available to all digital printers in the market today printing on widths up to 36 cm (14 inches).  The JETvarnish 3DS can turn regular printed jobs into high-margin spot UV jobs, or even higher-margin 3D embossed jobs. The JETvarnish 3DS has speeds up to 4,800 A3 sheets per hour in flat mode (2D) and up to 1,500 A3 sheets per hour in 3D mode. With the ability to varnish up to 100 μm for 3D raised effects and tactile finishes, the JETvarnish 3DS is sure to impress.

“We are proud of the collaboration between MGI and Konica Minolta. The JETvarnish 3DS reflects that teamwork,” says Michael Abergel, Executive Vice President of MGI. “The JETvarnish 3DS has strong market potential: it will allow users to gain new customers and explore lucrative new market opportunities. These stunning, tactile pieces will allow them to differentiate themselves from their competition.”

Konica Minolta will hold a press conference from 1-1:45 p.m. CST Sept. 28 in Room S502A, McCormick Place, Chicago, to discuss its latest technology. MGI will hold a press conference at 3:30 p.m. CST Sept. 28 in the Press Briefing Room, McCormick Place, Chicago.

To schedule a tour of Konica Minolta Booth #1231 and/or an executive interview, please contact Karen Harris at kharris@kmbs.konicaminolta.us.

For a complete overview of Konica Minolta’s EnvisionIT Production solutions and to access a detailed Graph Expo 14 booth map, click here.

Follow Konica Minolta at Graph Expo 14 on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtags #KMWinnersCircle and #GraphExpo.

Konica Minolta and Kodak Showcase New Front End Solutions for bizhub Presses at Graph Expo 2014

Konica Minolta today announced the release of two new KODAK CREO Servers that will drive Konica Minolta’s fully managed monochrome and color digital press solutions for commercial print and graphics communication professionals.

From September 28-October 1, at Graph Expo 2014 Booth #1231, the companies will demonstrate the new IC-312 CREO Server supporting the bizhub PRESS C1100 and C1085 digital presses and the IC-312m CREO Server driving the bizhub PRESS 2250P, both connected to KODAK PRINERGY Workflow 6.1. This collaboration will enable a common workflow process regardless of the device’s color capabilities.

“We’re delighted to showcase the ongoing partnership between Kodak and Konica Minolta at Graph Expo 2014 through these latest joint developments,” says Kevin Kern, SVP, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., “With both color and monochrome support our customers will benefit from the feature set, architecture and productivity they’ve come to count on with CREO Servers, regardless of their production environment.”

The new IC-312m CREO Server joins the IC-309m CREO Server as the only CREO front-end solutions to drive monochrome devices. With the common controller, workflow and interface for both color and monochrome of the bizhub digital presses, customers can easily move files between devices, no longer managing their processes in separate production islands.

“The latest releases in our CREO Servers portfolio for Konica Minolta really establish the importance of our ongoing collaboration and commitment to our customers and the print industry,” says Moti Kotik, General Manager, Unified Workflow Solutions, Kodak. “The unique connectivity between our solutions drives the simplicity and quality control that customers have come to expect from us as industry leaders.”

Easy to learn and simple to operate, the new CREO Servers offer full variable data print and complex imposition capabilities and job assembly support. Furthermore, this advanced solution for Transactional and TransPromo printing features fully bi-directional native IPDS and AFP support through the CREO Server optional TransPack.

Kodak will also be demonstrating its recent update to the PRINERGY Workflow System at the Konica Minolta booth. PRINERGY Workflow 6.1 is the latest evolution in prepress workflow, driving further prepress simplification into customers’ production and manufacturing processes. Improved interface and easy job management tools include a scenario builder, job intent window, part and section views plus a separation list.  PRINERGY Workflow provides advanced job management through three views — Manage, Plan and Track —allowing for quick job creation, simple intent-driven workflow processes and output device monitoring in real time. Together, these improvements offer customers ease of use and increased control for enhanced consistency and efficiency in their prepress operations.

Konica Minolta will hold a press conference at Graph Expo 14 from 1-1:45 p.m. CST Sept. 28 in Room S502A, McCormick Place, Chicago, to discuss its latest technology. To schedule a tour of Konica Minolta Booth #1231 and/or an executive interview, please contact Karen Harris at kharris@kmbs.konicaminolta.us.

For a complete overview of Konica Minolta’s solutions and to access a detailed Graph Expo 14 booth map, click here. Follow Konica Minolta at Graph Expo 14 on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtags #KMWinnersCircle and #GraphExpo.

Konica Minolta Named to Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for Three Consecutive Years

Highest Score in Economic and Environmental Dimensions in the Sector

The DJSI World is the first global index to track the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide and is provided by RobecoSAM, the Switzerland-based sustainability investment company, and S&P Dow Jones Indices in the U.S. It assesses corporate sustainability from economic, environmental and social developments. In the annual review of the world’s 2,500 companies, 319 companies have been listed on the DJSI World and, within the list, 21 are Japanese companies including Konica Minolta.

Konica Minolta has also been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index (DJSI Asia Pacific) for the sixth consecutive year.

This year Konica Minolta has earned the highest evaluation in the Computers & Peripherals and Office Electronics sector for economic dimension including innovation management and risk management and environmental dimension including climate strategy and environmental policy and management system.

At the start of fiscal 2014, Konica Minolta launched its new medium-term business plan “TRANSFORM 2016,” transforming its business in each and every sector it operates by thoroughly responding to the evolving needs of customers. The company is driving its quest to create values through enhanced offering of products and solution services contributing to overcoming problems that are faced by customers and society.

Reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection, the Konica Minolta Group’s medium-term environmental plan has also been renewed, based on “TRANSFORM 2016.” With the concept of pursuing both the resolution of environmental challenges and enhancement in corporate competitiveness, the new Medium-Term Environmental Plan 2016 has established goals in fiscal 2016 in terms of reduction in environmental impact and growth in corporate value. Among others, the medium-term environmental plan sets CO₂ reduction targets related to procurement in addition to CO₂ reduction targets for the Group’s production sites. Global cooperation with suppliers on various process improvement has been translated into lower carbon emissions. These initiatives are not only helping partners achieve energy saving and cost-cutting but are also utilizing Konica Minolta’s expertise in assisting lower carbon emissions in regions and society beyond the Group.

Besides the DJSI World and DJSI Asia Pacific, Konica Minolta has been included in the FTSE4Good Global Index of the U.K.-based FTSE Group and the Japan-based Morningstar Socially Responsible Investment Index. The company has also been awarded RobecoSAM Silver Class, as well as Prime Status by the Germany-based oekom research AG and is among the best companies for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in its international industry segment. In November 2013, Konica Minolta was listed on both the Climate Performance Leadership Index and Climate Disclosure Leadership Index in CDP^* Japan 500.

Under the brand proposition “Giving Shape to Ideas,” Konica Minolta is committed to remaining vital to society by driving CSR initiatives in its businesses and contributing to improving social quality.

*The CDP is a project in which institutional investors cooperate to call on companies to reveal their measure to mitigate climate change and information related to their greenhouse gas emissions.

For Konica Minolta’s sustainability efforts, please visit: www.konicaminolta.com/about/csr/

Konica Minolta commits to Graphics Canada 2015

Organizers of Graphics Canada announced several key technology suppliers have committed to exhibiting at next year’s trade show, including print giant Konica Minolta, running from April 16 to 18 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.

Show Director Dan Mustata reports more than 70 percent of the three exhibit halls to be used for Graphics Canada are already filled out.

“Graphics Canada will also continue its strong education program with several collocated conferences being planned,” said Mustata. Currently, including collocated conferences, education programs at Graphics Canada are to focus on topics like printing software, integrated media, labels and flexography, wide format, digital and specialty graphics, and paper and ink. Mustata is also planning for the return of the Printing Sales Training Days and Print Executive Forum with expanded programs.

National Healthcare Group Purchasing Organization Chooses Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta announced a new agreement with Amerinet Inc. a leading national healthcare solutions organization, to provide a broad range of professional IT consulting services.

Through this agreement, Amerinet members will receive competitive pricing on risk and vulnerability assessment services and managed IT services from Konica Minolta. In an effort to help Amerinet members comply with the HIPAA Final Omnibus Rule and HITECH regulations, Konica Minolta’s assessment services will evaluate healthcare organizations’ technical vulnerabilities, establish a baseline for compliance and build a timeline to address deficiencies.

“The agreement with Amerinet aligns with Konica Minolta’s strategy to deliver expanded value to the health-care industry as it undergoes transformation,” says Sam Errigo, senior vice president, Business Intelligence Services, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “The company’s EnvisionIT Healthcare initiative allows medical professionals to concentrate on providing quality patient care with the confidence of knowing that their IT needs are handled by Konica Minolta experts.”

EnvisionIT Healthcare offers industry-leading technology, best-of-breed software, and healthcare IT management and consulting services that reduce operational costs, improve security and ensure government and industry regulation compliance. Konica Minolta’s IT Service offerings includes IT planning, Cloud Services, systems integration, electronic health record infrastructure preparedness, secure access to medical data and complete Help Desk Support.

Amerinet members will also benefit from Konica Minolta’s Enterprise Content Management (ECM) offering, providing document management and capture solutions such as OnBase and Dispatcher Phoenix to optimize business processes and streamline healthcare workflows.

This contract is effective through December 31, 2018.

Konica Minolta Announces Acquisition of Results Engineering

Konica Minolta has announced that it has acquired Results Engineering, an enterprise content management (ECM) solution provider, to support and to further expand the company’s ECM business practice’s growth strategy.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary, Results Engineering will become a part of Konica Minolta’s ECM business practice and will market under the Konica Minolta brand. The primary office location in Westerville, OH, will continue to support central U.S. markets, as well as house the company’s management and administrative staff.

“This strategic acquisition expands our ECM practice with the addition of the highly-skilled team of product development, solutions design and consulting professionals from Results Engineering,” says Sam Errigo, senior vice president, Business Intelligence Services, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “We will continue to support Results Engineering’s custom solutions, including CourtBase™ for the courtroom environment and legacy ECM migration tools, while building on our already-solid portfolio of services and solutions with additional innovative workflow products that support our customers’ key organizational processes.”

Results Engineering offers end-to-end ECM solutions including consulting services, software, product development and solutions designed to help companies of all sizes reduce costs and improve efficiency. The company, established in 1993, prides itself on decades of experience spent shaping the ECM industry by providing unparalleled customer service, and technical and business expertise that continually delivers value to clients.

“We are excited to combine Results Engineering’s 17 years of OnBase™ technical experience and support capabilities with Konica Minolta’s global resources and scope of products,” says Greg Boyd, president, Results Engineering. “With this acquisition, our combined teams will be able to share best practices and resources to further expand our ECM business, giving our customers an even-greater suite of products and support.”

Konica Minolta’s commitment to the development of a national ECM practice, vertical market expertise, Managed IT Services, application development, and more than 120 branch office locations across the country are some of the reasons that Results Engineering has joined the organization.