Konica Minolta acquires Monotech’s production printing business

Starting 1 June 2015, the Monotech business and its employees will come directly under Konica Minolta.

 

Since setting a shop in India in August 2010, and after becoming the market leader in production printing press segment with more than 2000 installations, with the help of its four Indian representatives, the Japanese press manufacturer is finally venturing into the market on its own, at least partially.

 

Monotech, which was one of the four representatives of Konica Minolta in India, has been instrumental in the company’s growth in the last couple of years. The company has an installation base of more than 1,000 Konica Minolta printing presses in India. It also added to at least 60% of Monotech’s total business. 

 

The other channel partners of Konica Minolta are TechNova Imaging Systems, KMI Business Technologies and HCL Infosystems. 

 

“Konica Minolta and Monotech were in conversation to take this partnership forward, and finally, we have formed this venture. This is the first time since our establishment in India that we are coming directly to the market. We found it to be the right time,” said Yuji Nakata, managing director, Konica Minolta India. 

 

Nakata said the idea behind the acquisition was to move closer to the customers, and help them develop value. “We want to expand the frontiers of the digital world,” said Nakata, adding, “We want to contribute to the growth of the Indian printing industry.”

 

Following the deal, more than 200 employees of Monotech will come under Konica Minolta, and the sales, support and back office of the Monotech production printing business will be a part of the Konica Minolta team. “Now, we will have more engineers to maintain the products,” Nakata added.

 

TP Jain, managing director, Monotech Systems, said while the company had a successful partnership with Konica Minolta, it was time to move on. He said following the deal, the company will now focus on its other business verticals. Both a machine manufacturer and channel partner for diverse products, Monotech is a market leader in the pre-press and print enhancement segments.

 

The company, which has its R&D facilities in Delhi and Chennai, and which did a Rs 250-crore business last year, is now focusing on its digital inkjet presses, Jetsci and wide format Pixeljet.

Nakata confirmed that this acquisition will not hamper the company’s relationship with its three other channel partners, who will continue to work independently.

 

Konica Minolta, which has five offices in India so far, now plans to set up at least 40 direct sales and support locations.

 

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