Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, a subsidiary of Japan-based Konica Minolta Business Technologies, announced its entry in the Indian printing market. The company intends to create a channel-led business model and is looking to appoint partners across the country. In addition, the company also launched its ‘bizhub’ series product line, which includes a series of small, medium, and large office, monochrome and color printers and MFPs (multi function printers.
Konica Minolta has been selling its products in India for over three years now. Large and medium system integrators (SI), which the company terms as its national distributors include Infres Methodex, KMI Business Technologies, HCL Infosystems, and Monotech Systems.
The company also has plans to reach out to its customers through a regional distribution model through which it will appoint distributors in each state. The plan is to appoint at least two to three dealers in each state. Raju Iyyer, GM-sales & marketing division, Konica Minolta Business Solution India said, “The process has already been initiated and will be a continuous activity. We have already appointed three companies in Kerala and currently we are in the process of appointing one in Maharashtra.” The target is to appoint at least 50-60 dealers across India by the end of the next financial year.
Jun Haraguchi, director, GM-sales headquarters, Konica Minolta Business Technologies, said, “Demand-wise Asia is booming and India will be one of the leading economies in the world. We are not late in entering this market, on the contrary, we think the time is right for us to be in this country.” Interestingly, the company’s India office was setup last year on 1st July, 2010 and the operations commenced in August, 2010. The company officials also stated that there are plans to open branch offices across India. Adding to this, Sanjay Monga, marketing manager, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India said, “We intend to open an office in Mumbai; we are also checking out the feasibility in other parts of India.”
The company has introduced a wide range of products under its production printing series and printer series. It further plans to introduce more models by the end of the next financial year.
Haraguchi said, “Our overall market share in the printer segment is about 4 to 5 percent. We want to achieve 25 percent market share in next three years.” Providing further details, Iyyer stated, “In the production printing category we have about 20-25 percent market share; speaking specifically about color printers we have about 15-16 percent market share.”
To cater to the needs of its distributors and dealers, the company has established a warehouse at Taloja near Mumbai. Monga said, “This warehouse will be fully functional by the end of March 2011.” More warehouses in other parts of India could be set up if required.
The company believes that its technology offering, in addition to channel development, will be a key growth driver. Tadahiko Sumitani, MD, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India states, “The strategy is simple – launch innovative products, provide high level of after sales service and support and increase channel base and strengthen the existing relationships.” He further added, “Service is the key for success in India, which is will be our core focus as it is also our top priority.”
Headquartered at Gurgaon, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India (BIN) is a subsidiary company of Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Japan, a core company of the Konica Minolta Group. It is a player in advanced digital imaging printing technologies and has already opened an offshore software development centre in India under a partnership agreement with HCL Technologies.