Konica Minolta’s Five MFPs Won China Red Star Design Award 2014

Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta) is pleased to announce that its five A3 colour multi-functional peripherals (MFPs) in the bizhub series, the bizhub C554e/C454e/C364e/C284e/C224e, have won Excellent Prize of 2014 China Red Star Design Award. The award-winning MFPs are primary products in the company’s Business Technologies business.

China Red Star Design Award was established in 2006 by Beijing Industrial Design Centre to commend a broad range of outstanding industrial design in China and abroad. The award winners are selected by the jury board of domestic and international design experts, based on six criteria of innovation, utility, economic benefit, environmental-friendliness, craft and aesthetic.

The award-winning bizhub series MFPs collectively utilize the INFO-Palette design concept for their entire visual and graphic design, from the main body’s outer appearance, panel operation GUI (graphic user interface) and applications (for PC and mobile), all of which are important connection with end users, to promotional materials.

Especially, the MFPs’ main body features a symbolic white-plate motif of INFO-Palette on the black front. By concentrating user contact points on the operation screen, the bizhub series enhances intuitive and comfortable operation. These unique design features help users reduce stress and increase overall office work productivity, leading to even higher customer satisfaction.

Having been decorated with Good Design Award 2013 (by Japan Institute of Design Promotion) and Red Dot Design Award 2014 (Product Design) in Germany, the bizhub series MFPs are building on their global recognition for design excellence.

Under the brand proposition “Giving Shape to Ideas,” Konica Minolta will continue advancing design development with innovative ideas and expertise in response to social changes in the diversifying world, and delivering highly value-added products and services.

Konica Minolta seen posting 16% profit gain

Konica Minolta’s consolidated operating profit is expected to rise 16% on the year to around 45 billion yen ($371 million) for the April-December term.

The figure will be the Japanese company’s highest for the period in six years. Sales of commercial printers are expanding, particularly in Europe, while mainstay multipurpose copiers continue to fare well at home and abroad.

Sales were seen climbing 8% to around 735 billion yen. Konica Minolta has been strengthening its business of printing catalogs and brochures through a British subsidiary it acquired in 2012. While actual printing is subcontracted, the effort boosted sales of its color digital printing systems as well.

Business is also solid in multipurpose copiers and information technology services, mainly in the U.S. and European markets. The company’s business technologies segment, built around printer-related equipment and services, will likely see a large increase in revenue and profit.

The industrial business segment faces struggling sales of digital camera parts as well as a roughly 2 billion yen dent in revenue caused by the company’s departure from making glass substrates for hard drives. But sales of film for liquid crystal displays used in televisions are making up for the losses, and the segment will likely achieve sales on par with last year.

The yen has weakened more than expected, providing an additional tailwind. A drop of 1 yen against the euro boosts the company’s profit by 800 million yen, while a drop of 1 yen against the dollar lifts it 300 million yen.

(Nikkei)

Konica Minolta Area Vice President Named Influential Woman in Business

Dana Drury has been giving back to the community for as long as she can remember.

That dedication to helping others has helped to earn Drury, the Area Vice President, Downers Grove, IL, for Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) inclusion in the Daily Herald Business Ledger’s 17^th Annual Influential Women in Business Awards program. 

The awards are presented by the Business Ledger in partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners, Chicago Area Chapter and the Women’s Innovation Network. They honor women executives and entrepreneurs who excel in business, civic and personal arenas and who do business in suburban Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake or Will counties in Illinois. The awards were presented Nov. 5 at a recognition reception at Northern Illinois University – Naperville Campus. Drury, who was nominated for the award by Sam Elsener, Area Vice President, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., was also included in a special section profiling this year’s recipients published Dec. 8 by the Daily Herald Business Ledger.

“Dana Drury is a truly remarkable person,” says Mark Bradford, President, Direct Sales Channel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “This award reflects her achievements on the job and in the community. I don’t know of another person who brings such passion to all that she does.”

Drury began her volunteerism in 2000, when her mother requested that the family give back to the community in lieu of Christmas gifts. Instead, the family would discuss their activism at Christmas dinner. She adopted a family for the holidays and did volunteer work. “At the time, that seemed easier than shopping for gifts; little did I know what a life-changing experience this would be and how much of an impact it made on my life,” Drury says.

Her volunteerism turned into so much more. She organized teams for “Light the Night,” created Toys For Tots drives and blood drives, adopted a family at the holidays, and raised money for breast cancer research and veterans organizations.

In 2009, she brought that same passion into the Downers Grove office.  “I experienced firsthand what a small group of people can do when they put their minds to it,” she says.  “I volunteered to organize a fundraising event for cystinosis.  One of my managers has two children that were diagnosed with this very rare disease.  I wanted to do something to make a difference for his family.”

She organized a garage sale, asking employees to bring in anything and everything that could be sold.  They made $8,000. Because of that success, she decided to duplicate the effort. The garage sale the next week raised $6,000.  “It was crazy, fun and amazing to see how little you have to give to make a difference,” she says.  “We were able to fund The Festival of Hope, which resulted in raising $53,000 for cystinosis. Two years, two garage sales and $65,000 later, we repeated our success at the second Festival of Hope.

“My mom may have given us a challenge back in 2000, however, this has been a gift that will last a lifetime,” she says.

Drury started her career with the company in 1996. “I knew after my internship in the summer of 1995 that this was definitely a company I wanted to be a part of,” she says. “When people ask me why I stay, the answer is easy: it’s the people.  I truly enjoy those I work with and love seeing each of them grow and achieve so very much. I attribute my success to surrounding myself with the right people.”

Her co-workers have contributed to her success. Drury has been named 18 times to the President’s Club, as one of the company’s top sales performers and 11 times to the Circle of Excellence for placement in the Top 10 percent of the sales team who qualifies for President’s Club. She is a Diamond Circle winner, achieving President’s Club for 10 years, and is a three-time Gauntlet Award winner as the top sales performer in her classification. She has received three National Awards, three Exceed Awards, two Excellence Awards and two Employee of the Year Awards.

She also produces excellence from her staff. For the past five years, her branch had the most sales representatives reaching President’s Club. She has also produced 19 National Award winners, an accomplishment she says gives her the most pride.

“The Downers Grove branch has been a model of success not just for the Chicago marketplace, but the Central Region,” says Armen Biberian, Market Vice President, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “The branch works together in every area to make sure as many people are successful as possible. This attitude comes straight from Dana. Her philosophy is that if her sales managers are successful, she and her representatives will be as well.”

Drury believes in leading by example. “I would never ask something of someone I have not done myself,” she says.  “I believe that success is not an option. I pride myself on the culture that we have created at Konica Minolta over the years.

“When people describe me, I am sure they would probably say that I am passionate, creative, hands on and focused on the people,” she continues.  “It is easy for me to stay focused on helping my people because at the end of the day, that is truly who I care about. I have been successful simply by making others successful around me.  If you take care of your people first, everything else will fall into line.”

Almana & Partners showcase the new range of mobile printing solutions from Konica Minolta

Almana & Partners W.L.L. displayed the latest Konica Minolta Office and Production print range during an open house at their newly established showroom, in Doha Qatar. The latest multi-function devices, along with mobile printing solutions “were a great success. Our main objective is to provide end to end business solutions to our valued customers” said Issa Al Bitar Manager, Office Equipment & Business Solutions Division.

One of the many new solutions on show by Almana was the award winning “PageScope Mobile”, allowing you to print from a mobile device, without having to download printer drivers.

PageScope Mobile is a powerful, cutting edge application that connects the award-winning line of bizhub multifunctional products with a mobile professional’s iPad®, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPhone® and iPod Touch®. The continued growth and escalating demand of iPad, iPhones and iPod Touch devices across all markets and industries has heightened the demand for mobile users to print directly from their Apple® devices as well as scan documents to their devices for instant access to their documents. With PageScope Mobile, Konica Minolta offers a feature-rich assortment of utilities that provide the everyday document imaging tools and connectivity necessary for mobile users to easily access and manage their documents.

Further solutions presented on the day were Google cloud print /Apple air print/Mopira print/Konica Minolta print services for android devices.

Konica Minolta was awarded the first Low-carbon Office Operation Programme (LOOP) Label

Konica Minolta has been committed to the implementation of environmental policies, and promotion of environmental protection. This year, for the first time, Konica Minolta is awarded with LOOP certified label. Under the programme, it reviewed corporate environmental policies and objectives, measurement and monitoring of carbon, carbon reduction strategies and actions, and environmental promotion and training. The labelling award ceremony was held on December 11th, 2014 (Thursday) at The Cityview. Mr. Leung Kin Hung, Manager of Service Planning Department, received the award on behalf of the corporation.

With the spirit of “Green at Heart”, Konica Minolta has committed to social responsibility through enhancing the development under our environmental principles of 4Ps – Policy, Product, Program and People. For program, Konica Minolta actively participates in various certification programs. Mr. Leung Kin Hung said, the continual participation of certification programs help us to promote environmental protection effectively; it is also the encouragement for our company, as well as for the staff. Thus, for the first time, Konica Minolta participated in LOOP, and was awarded with the certified label: we achieved good result especially in the assessment of external and internal communication.

Konica Minolta wins Hong Kong Green Awards for a Third Year in a Row

Konica Minolta has been committed to the full range of 360^∘sustainable development, and implementation of environmental policy from the inside out. Therefore, Konica Minolta won the Green Management Bronze Award (Corporate) under Hong Kong Green Awards 2014 organized by Green Council, in recognition of our outstanding performance in the areas of green policy, energy conservation, water conservation, waste reduction, indoor air quality control, carbon footprint reduction, green purchasing, promotion and training. The award presentation ceremony was held on December 12th, 2014 (Friday) at The Mira Hotel. Mr. Leung Kin Hung, Manager of Service Planning Department, received the award on behalf of the corporation.

With the spirit of “Green at Heart”, Konica Minolta is committed to providing customers not only with comprehensive Digital Multi-functional System and solutions services, but also organizing various green activities for both internally and externally. Konica Minolta hopes to instill the message of environmental protection to employees, in order to encourage them to promote the environmental protection with their family, friends, and also customers and stakeholders.

For the sake of improving environmental performance of daily operations, Konica Minolta has achieved the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification, under this system, employees can build up green behavior in their daily work. Konica Minolta also keeps improving the environmental performance of its products for providing total green business solutions. In addition to its Multifunctional Products (MFPs), Konica Minolta’s Simitri Toner has also been certified with “Hong Kong Green Label”.

Konica Minolta is also committed to environmental education and promotion. We organize the annual signature event “Konica Minolta Green Concert” to arouse public awareness of energy conservation. Staff, customers and organizations are encouraged to team up to join the “Power Generating Challenge”. We also continue organizing “Emerald Learning Program” with local green NGO to enhance the students’ experience outside of the classroom through various eco workshops and tours. Our customers and staff were invited to join these eco-tours to learn more about the nature environment of Hong Kong.

Konica Minolta profit seen climbing 15% next fiscal year

Konica Minolta’s consolidated operating profit is expected to reach an eight-year high next fiscal year, as sales of printers expand and the weakening yen provides a tailwind.

Operating profit will likely rise to around 75 billion yen ($625.5 million) in fiscal 2015, up 15% from the 65 billion yen projected for the current year ending March 31. The company’s business technologies segment, which includes printer-related equipment and services, will lead the way, amid growing demand among companies and government offices in North America, Japan and elsewhere for multifunction printers and information technology systems.

While the outlook for the European market remains uncertain, sales of machines for offices are expected to increase in China and other emerging markets.

Sales of large commercial printers that produce pamphlets and posters are also expected to grow.

In addition, the weakening yen will contribute to profits, as overseas sales make up about 80% of the company’s total. A decline of 1 yen against the dollar pushes up the company’s operating profit by 800 million yen a year. A decline of 1 yen against the euro amounts to 300 million greater operating profit.

Konica Minolta is switching to international financial reporting standards, starting with this fiscal year’s financial statements to be released next June. The change will free the company from the need to amortize goodwill as Japanese standards require, likely bringing an operating profit of 67 billion yen this fiscal year, 2 billion yen more than with Japanese standards. Likewise, billions of yen will likely be added under international standards to the 75 billion yen projected for next fiscal year.

Under its medium-term management plan released in May, the company aims to post an operating profit of 90 billion yen under international standards in fiscal 2016.

Konica Minolta SA forms three-way alliance to protect rhino orphans

It has become universally accepted that the fate of wildlife in Africa is dependent on the commitment and support of communities living adjacent to conservation reserves.

The rise in organised crime in sub-Saharan Africa is directly linked to the rise in rhino and elephant poaching in the region. This scourge can only be combatted with the establishment of structures that align the economic interests of the local community with the welfare of the wildlife, thus making each one dependent on the other for their continued economic wellbeing and existence.

Left to right: Marianna, Business Unit Manager at Konica Minolta South Africa, Ryan James, Account Manager at Good Work Foundation, Kate Groch, CEO and founder of Good Work Foundation, Alan Griffith, MD of Konica Minolta South Africa.

This accepted approach has been embraced by Bidvest company, Konica Minolta South Africa, an organisation that recognises a new equation in conservation is needed.

To this end, Konica Minolta South Africa has committed to the establishment and funding of a sanctuary for orphaned rhinos, which will be owned and managed by the local community, through the sale of Konica Minolta’s bizhub document management devices.

Through its association with the Nhlangwini Trust, the owners of strategic land adjacent to the Kruger Park, Konica Minolta South Africa has recently entered into discussions with SANParks Kruger Park management to establish a three-way alliance between the private sector (bizhub from Konica Minolta South Africa), the public sector (SANParks) and the local community (Nhlangwini Trust), to establish a stronghold sanctuary for the protection of orphaned rhino on the land owned by the Nhlangwini community. This partnership will demonstrate the unique benefits that can be achieved from an integrated conservation development model, which supports community-centred conservation while protecting orphaned rhinos.

The sanctuary will also be used as a field classroom for students attending the bizhub Conservation Academy, which has been established by the Good Work Foundation at the Digital Learning Centre in Hazyview. The sanctuary will act as a training ground for young learners, where they will receive practical instruction in a variety of conservation-related disciplines, including practical “real-time” instruction to the learners during the capture, care and relocation of rhino orphans.

Security fencing for the stronghold sanctuary has already been erected by the community, funded by Konica Minolta South Africa, with discussions between stakeholders currently under way. The intention is to complete the establishment of the facility by no later than June 2015.

Konica Minolta Releases Document Workflow Solution for State and Federal Agencies

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announces a new integrated document workflow solution to help state and federal agencies manage information securely and efficiently. Part of Konica Minolta’s EnvisionIT Government solution portfolio Dispatcher Phoenix Government allows for the automatic capture, processing and distribution of documents to maximize productivity and reduce costs.

Dispatcher Phoenix Government offers advanced security features ideal for government agencies, such as integration with the Federal government’s smart card platform. With support for authentication via Common Access Cards (CAC), Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards and Active Directory, Dispatcher Phoenix Government meets the Two-Factor Homeland Security Presidential Directive, known as HSPD-12. Other security features include a Copy Defender process to prevent unauthorized copying of sensitive documents, intelligent redaction to permanently remove sensitive information from documents, file conversion to password-protected PDFs, and more.

“By tailoring Konica Minolta’s industry-leading workflow solution to meet the specific security needs of government agencies and public-sector businesses, we are able to offer solutions needed to automate paper-based document processes,” says Sam Errigo, senior vice president, Business Intelligence Services, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “At a time of shrinking budgets and rising costs, Dispatcher Phoenix Government can help reduce the risk of human error while optimizing operational efficiency.”

Dispatcher Phoenix Government integrates directly with the Konica Minolta bizhub MFP control panel and offers file conversion, barcode processing, zonal OCR, ODBC processing, and integration with content management systems, making it easy to automate document processes. With Dispatcher Phoenix Government, administrators can:

Speed Document Distribution – Automatically collect, process and distribute government documents, such as records, applications and cross-agency communications, to multiple outputs in one single step.

Streamline Government Workflows – Automate time-consuming manual processes to optimize workflow efficiency by converting paper-based files into PDF Searchable format, routing application filings or other documents based on barcode, converting files to Microsoft Office formats, renaming files at the MFP and much more.

Easily Connect to Content Management Systems (CMS) – Scan documents to a secure folder or connect to leading content management systems such as Microsoft SharePoint. Dispatcher Phoenix Government can scan, index and route files to SharePoint either from the MFP control panel or via an automated workflow. In addition, files can be automatically distributed to various destinations at the same time, such as email recipients, network folders, FTP servers and more.

Expand Application Capabilities As Business Needs Evolve – Modular architecture allows customers to easily add optional features to the application, such as forms processing with pattern matching, email parsing, Bates stamping and much more.

Konica Minolta Partners With Kasturi Infomatic In Nashik

In a bid to expand its geographic presence, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India has announced its association with Kasturi Infomatic in Nashik.
The aggressive expansion plans, envisaged by its principle of providing innovative and comprehensible products to meet emerging customer needs.

Announcing their partnership with Konica Minolta Mr. Mahesh Tambat of Kasturi Infomatic says “It was only fitting to be associated with Konica Minolta as both of us work with the same objective to deliver superior quality products. We are assured about Konica Minolta as a brand and its products and look forward to building our business based on the reputation and the technological proficiency that comes with it.”

Mr.Balakrishnan General Manager Konica Minolta India expressed his views on association and said “We wanted to form alliance with people who can generate fresh opportunities for the mutual growth. It is imperative that we align with the right set of partners who can work towards the common goal. We cherish our partners and look forward to a long association with Kasturi Infomatic. The technology along with the support services that we offer in conjunction with our partners will help us to gain the market share.”

Mr. Sanjeev Bajaj General Manager Konica Minolta India “We are dedicated to deliver the best in the business and our A4 printers are impeccable amalgamation of low cost running product with high productivity.”

The expansion plan is the manifestation of Konica Minolta’s strategy of strengthening of its business service infrastructure, providing businesses across the country. Furthering Konica Minolta’s strategy to multiply its customer base and deliver products and provide value added services.