Konica Minolta Ignite, a new, Level-1 B-BBEE independent subcontractor business of Konica Minolta South Africa, has officially opened its doors in Johannesburg.
The new business is an Enterprise Development subcontractor and part of an organisation-wide empowerment drive by Konica Minolta South Africa that will see the company well positioned to take advantage of wider business opportunities in the printing sector. Konica Minolta Ignite has its own infrastructure, warehouse, spares, machines and technical staff.
Managing director, Manfred Kali, will lead the Konica Minolta Ignite team, and has committed himself to ‘impeccable service and advice for existing customers and new ones’.
Kali began his career at Konica Minolta, a division of Bidvest Office and Print, in 2002, when he was selected for the company’s sales and computer-training programme. The King Edward VII old boy immediately made his presence felt, and was offered a permanent position at Konica Minolta South Africa’s Pretoria branch, on the government sales team.
After leaving the company to work in the hospitality business, Kali returned to Konica Minolta South Africa in 2014. Within three years, he had been promoted to sales manager at the Johannesburg branch.
‘I look forward to big things for Ignite,’ said Kali. ‘This is the start of an exciting new era for Konica Minolta South Africa, and a great personal milestone. We will launch joint business ventures with the national organisation, and also build our own customer base.’
Kali credits the successful launch of the new business to the talented people who work with him. ‘Konica Minolta Ignite was set up with the guidance and support of Konica Minolta Johannesburg branch manager Paul Symonds. My fellow shareholder Wesley Ngwenya started as an intern five years ago and progressed through the Konica Minolta South Africa Technical Leadership programme. His excellent customer-relations skills are one of the foundations of our business.’
‘Nonhlanhla Mashinini of our logistics department is another invaluable member of our team. She started out as an intern and has become a highly respected print professional,’ said Kali.
‘The way this all happened is supernatural,’ he said. ‘I am honoured and humbled to be able to launch this new enterprise, and I appreciate the loyalty and support of all the colleagues who made this happen. We will do our very best every day to advise our customers and serve their needs.’
KONICA MINOLTA SOUTH AFRICA (+27 11) 661 9000 http://www.kmsa.com
