Interview with Mr.Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India
Konica Minolta is a Japanese multinational technology company that develops, produces, and sells a wide range of products and services.
Print3 : Could you tell us more about Konica Minolta?
Katsuhisa Asari : We are a globally renowned technology company headquartered in Japan, known for our leadership in imaging, with a legacy spanning over 150 years. In India, we operate as Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., established in 2010 as a 100% subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Japan. Our comprehensive portfolio includes digital production printing presses, label printers, monochrome and colour production printers, and embellishment solutions like spot UV and foiling.
We also hold a significant presence in the office printing segment with our award-winning bizhub i-Series multifunction printers (MFPs) that are recognized for their security, sustainability, and ease of use. In addition, our offerings include robust workflow automation, document digitization, and print management software, enabling organizations to streamline operations and improve productivity.
P3 : What are your company’s principles, mission, vision & philosophy?
KA : Our guiding philosophy is the “Creation of New Value”—a commitment to support people and society by creating and delivering new value in multiple forms. Globally, our vision, “Imaging to the People,” emphasizes our dedication to taking our technological advantages to the people and society. At Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, our vision reflects a deep customer focus: we aim to become the strategic partner of choice for our customers by exploring and solving their unmet needs.
This approach is supported by six core values that shape our corporate culture, guide employee behaviour, and define how we operate:
- Open and Honest
- Customer-Centric
- Innovative
- Passionate
- Inclusive and Collaborative
- Accountable
These values are deeply embedded in every facet of our operations— from product development to customer service—and empower our teams to create long-lasting value for our stakeholders while contributing positively to society. Our mission and culture are not only designed to meet present needs but also to anticipate and shape the future of work, printing, and information management across the globe.
P3 : Can you share Konica Minolta’s history and milestones, highlighting any major innovations or achievements?
KA : We have played a pivotal role in advancing India’s digital printing landscape, offering cutting-edge imaging technologies and enterprise content solutions. We emerged as a market leader in the production printing segment, capturing over 50% market share soon after our inception in India and have sustained this leadership for more than a decade. These achievements were underpinned by our commitment to accelerating the transition from conventional to digital printing, especially in high-growth areas such as packaging and labels.
In 2018, we earned international acclaim by winning the Silver Award in the Business Contribution category at the global Konica Minolta Group Assessment. This recognition reinforced our position as a strategic player within the Indian market, bolstered by the introduction of innovative solutions like the AccurioLabel and MGI JetVarnish. Between 2021 and 2023, we continued to set benchmarks with award-winning products, securing multiple accolades from Key point Intelligence, including the BLI A3 Line of the Year, Color Consistency Award, and recognition for our Dispatcher Phoenix Workflow Automation Platform.
During this period, we also diversified our offerings to include document-centric and workflow automation solutions tailored for sectors such as education, healthcare, government, and legal services. In 2023, we launched the one-of-itskind Print Xpress initiative, connecting with over 150 Tier 3 and Tier 4 towns across India to bring awareness about the benefits about Digital Printing & Automation to improve productivity. Sustainability and social responsibility remained core pillars of our mission, and we launched four structured CSR programs aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Aarogya, focused on making healthcare accessible to everyone across India.
- Neev, aimed at providing foundational assistance for the holistic development of children.
- Urja promotes renewable energy and environmental sustainability through solar panel installations and awareness drives.
- Pravah, addresses water conservation and sustainable agriculture by building check dams, rainwater harvesting systems, and training farmers in eco-friendly practices.
Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to driving positive social change while supporting inclusive and sustainable development in India. Continuing our momentum into 2025, we opened new corporate offices in Mumbai (Andheri) and Kolkata (Salt Lake).
These centres now serve as innovation hubs and talent incubation platforms, enabling faster go to-market strategies and fostering next generation print technologies. In addition to these strategic expansions, we are proud to be recognized as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years, a testament to our commitment to nurturing a positive and dynamic work culture that drives both employee satisfaction and organizational success.
Mr. Manish Gupta, Head – Product LifeCycle & Solution
Print3 : How does a high-speed digital press maintain consistent print quality across largescale print jobs?
Manish Gupta : We maintain consistent print quality through our innovative inline solution IQ-501 Intelligent Quality Optimizer, which performs real-time adjustments to color and registration without perator intervention. Coupled with SEAD (Screen-Enhancing Active Digital Process) technology and high-resolution imaging (3600 x 2400 dpi), our systems ensure every page operator intervention.
Coupled with SEAD (ScreenEnhancing Active Digital Process) technology and high-resolution imaging (3600 x 2400 dpi), our systems ensure every page meets exacting quality standards across large-scale print runs.
P3 : What automation features are integrated into modern digital presses to improve efficiency?
MG : We produce a variety of rubber rollers for the printing industry, including inking rollers, fountain rollers, distribution rollers, and dampening rollers, compatible with all leading offset printing machines.
P3 : How do digital presses handle a variety of media types, from coated to uncoated stocks?
MG : We design our presses with advanced paper handling systems that support a broad media range, including coated/uncoated, textured, synthetic, and long-sheet formats (up to 1300mm). Our air-suction feeding mechanism and advanced fusing units ensure stable feeding and excellent toner adhesion across various substrates.
P3 : How is color accuracy achieved in digital printing, especially for detailed graphic work?
MG : We achieve colour accuracy through our Simitri V and HDe toners, which provide fine particle distribution and smooth gradation. Our IQ-501 performs automatic color calibration and density adjustments, while SEAD X image processing maintains consistent tone reproduction across long runs—making it ideal for highend graphics and photography applications.
P3 : How does digital printing benefit businesses with smaller print volumes and customized orders?
MG : Digital printing eliminates the need for plates and setup costs, enabling costeffective short runs and on-demand printing. It supports variable data printing (VDP), allowing customization at scale—ideal for marketing campaigns, personalized packaging, and direct mail Businesses can respond quickly to market demands without overproduction.
P3 : How do digital presses ensure productivity and quality for high-volume monochrome printing?
MG : Our monochrome presses like the AccurioPrint 2100, AccurioPress 7136, and AccurioPress 6272P deliver up to 100, 136, and 272 A4 pages per minute respectively, equipped with high toner and paper capacity for uninterrupted operation. With advanced image stabilization, media sensors, and durable. components, we ensure high uptime and consistent quality across long production cycles.
P3 : What role does ink density control play in achieving consistent print quality during high-volume production?
MG : Toner density control is vital for maintaining consistent colour across a print run. Our closed-loop density adjustment systems automatically monitor and regulate density levels in real-time, correcting any deviations to ensure colour fidelity and uniformity— especially in applications requiring brand colour consistency. The machine and the controller with the machine has features to control the toner density to give the right color output.
P3 : How do digital presses handle a wide variety of substrates and paper types efficiently?
MG : We use multi-feed trays, adjustable transfer belts, and sophisticated fusing technologies that adapt to the texture, weight, and size of substrates. This flexibility allows you work with lightweight paper, envelopes, heavy stock up to 450 gsm, and textured materials without compromising speed or quality.
P3 : How do UV inkjet digital presses support printing on non-traditional substrates?
MG : Our UV inkjet presses enable printing on non-absorbent materials such as plastics, films, and metallic foils. The UV curing process dries ink instantly, allowing for high-speed output without smudging and expanding application capabilities beyond standard paper stocks.
P3 : What automation features are integrated into modern digital presses to improve efficiency?
MG : Humans have five senses touch, sight, smell, taste & hear. Our brain responds as any of these are activated. With the Spot UV and Digital Foil we influence the 2 senses touch & sight. There is a very high tendency to see any good eye catchy document or packaging material which leads to touch. These sensory activation brings a very positive impact on printed documents. Our AccurioShine 3600 applies 2D and 3D spot UV coatings and digital foiling to add texture and visual contrast. These effects enhance perceived value, particularly for wedding cards, luxury packaging, and corporate brochures, delivering a tactile and premium finish without requiring dies or screens.
P3 : How do digital presses contribute to cost-effective short-run label printing?
MG : With our AccurioLabel series, we offer quick job setup, minimal waste, and flexographic-quality output — ideal for short – run and personalized label production. We eliminate the cost of plates and setup associated with traditional flexo, making digital label printing more accessible and profitable for smaller batch requirements.
P3 : How do digital presses manage highspeed production while maintaining print quality?
MG : Our presses, such as the AccurioPress C142000, maintain print speeds up to 1420 ppm without sacrificing output quality. Through highresolution engines, intelligent job scheduling, and on-the-fly quality checks, we support continuous operation even under demanding workloads.
P3 : What is the advantage of automated finishing options in digital presses?
MG : We offer automated finishing options—such as perfect binding, booklet making, stapling, and trimming—that streamline post-print processes and reduce manual handling. This enhances workflow speed, consistency, and precision, especially valuable in fastturnaround environments like education, publishing, and commercial print houses.
P3 : How do digital presses ensure superior print quality even on thin paper stocks?
MG : We use adjustable suction and air separation feeding, low-temperature fusing, and static elimination features to handle thin paper (as low as 62 gsm). These features ensure smooth paper transport and accurate registration, preventing jams or misalignment issues typically associated with lightweight media. In addition to the print, we also offer the option of humidifier t add the moisture to help in the finishing process of cutting and creasing.
P3 : How do digital presses support personalization and variable data printing?
MG : With built-in support for VDP software and RIP integration, our digital presses personalize text, images, and graphics for each piece in a print run. This enables targeted campaigns, event-specific materials, and custom packaging, helping printers offer higher-value services to clients.
P3 : Challenges and Competitions you are facing in the market?
KA : The Indian digital printing sector is undergoing a major transformation, driven by rising demand for short-run, high-quality, and personalized print solutions. However, challenges like price sensitivity in Tier 2 and 3 markets, market fragmentation, and competition from low-cost providers using outdated infrastructure persist. Educating customers on the value of digital embellishment and automation remains tough. Additionally, a shortage of skilled labour and rising input costs impact efficiency and profitability. Despite these hurdles, the industry is pushing forward through customer education and strong service support.
P3 : What are your other businesses?
KA : We operate across textile printing, healthcare imaging, measuring instruments, and IT services globally.
P3 : Business expansions such as future business plans in India?
KA : We are strategically expanding across India, with a focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities that offer vast potential for digital printing transformation. While strengthening our leadership in production and industrial printing, we’re also broadening our reach to serve MSMEs, educational institutions, and government bodies with advanced, scalable, and cost-effective solutions.
Our future focus includes digital production printing across commercial, labels & packaging, digital embellishment, workflow automation, and enterprise content management—critical tools for streamlining operations and driving growth. We are also exploring AIdriven automation and cloud-based print infrastructure to power smart workplaces. Our vision is clear: to lead the Indian print industry’s digital transformation by scaling innovation, improving accessibility, and empowering businesses of all sizes to succeed in the digital era.
P3 : What about your CSR activities?
KA : We drive social impact through four CSR programs— AAROGYA, NEEV, PRAVAH, and URJA—focused on healthcare, education, skill development, and energy sustainability. Aligned with UN SDGs, these initiatives are executed with NGO partners to ensure wide reach and lasting impact.