Konica Minolta is celebrating a show success that is set to net R52,59 (€3.5) million worth of new business as it continues to expand into new markets.
Visitors to the 1200sqm stand that had 12 live-running print systems and market-leading software and systems demonstrations throughout each of the six days have helped the business enabler to reap the rewards.
One of the top attractions was the KM-1, the B2+ UV inkjet colour sheetfed press, which was demonstrated three times a day. At the show it was confirmed that beta testing will start later this year at customer sites in Japan, North America and Europe, with full production starting in 2015.
The press will help commercial printers produce high-quality print jobs capturing new market opportunities on the back of brand owners looking to develop highly personalised short run packaging The KM-1 is especially designed for short print runs, extremely tight deadlines and variable data processing. The demonstrations were of particular interest to commercial and packaging printers, as well as folding carton printers.
In another technology showcased at Ipex for the first time, Konica Minolta demonstrated roll-to-roll label printing at up to 18m/min with its Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C70RLC. Konica Minolta’s growing portfolio covers commercial production, packaging, wide format, document printing, corporate, on-demand publishing, direct mail, labels and photo-printing markets, as well as workflow automation areas and other partner pre-press and post-press solutions, plus cross media applications.
Olaf Lorenz, General Manager, International Marketing Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe said, ‘Ipex has been everything we wanted it to be and has fulfilled all our objectives. We have been getting 600 qualified leads per day and already have collected more than 40 letters of intent, as well as have closed some sales. Based on our experience of these types of shows, we are confident that Ipex will net us over R52,59 (€3.5) million worth of new business.’
Lorenz added, ‘From all the discussions our teams of experts have been having with hundreds of visitors every day, it is clear that there is a world of opportunity for print providers to optimise their revenues through enabling new, profitable business by creating value through the many new applications in an increasingly digital world. And we are proud to be at the forefront of the new media age revolution where print is still recognised as a central driver and crucial part of the communication mix.’
