New HP Indigo and PageWide Web Presses propel company to forefront of Japan’s publishing industry

DÜSSELDORF, Germany – HP Inc. today announced that KADOKAWA CORPORATION has selected HP digital printing solutions, including the newly announced HP Indigo 50000 Digital Press, HP PageWide Web Press T490M HD, as well as workflow management and finishing equipment, to power its new digital book production platform.  

KADOKAWA has unveiled plans to establish a new digital production and distribution center with the latest equipment in Tokorozawa, Japan. With the new industry-leading HP digital printing technology and facility, KADOKAWA is poised to realize its vision of becoming Japan’s leading content publishing company by reinventing traditional industry supply chains in Japan. 

KADOKAWA’s new production and distribution center is intended to accommodate the diversified need of readers and to produce and deliver publications at the right volume and at the right time.  As a part of this project, KADOKAWA plans to establish a new digital book production platform that will start operation from 2018 onward.

“We are excited to partner with HP, a leading company in the digital printing industry with its breakthrough technology, broader product portfolio and track records in the publishing industry globally, to build a next-generation digital publishing production platform in Japan,” said Mr. Koichi Sekiya, director of the board and senior managing executive officer, KADOKAWA CORPORATION. “Starting with this project, we will create a more efficient supply chain and continue to meet the diversified needs of readers in Japan.” 

KADOKAWA’s digital book production platform includes the newly announced HP PageWide Web Press T490M HD and HP Indigo 50000 Digital Press, a post processing machine, bookbinding and workflow management solutions specifically designed for the publishing industry. This will enable KADOKAWA to produce a variety of books such as paperbacks, light novels, pocketbooks and comic books as well as covers, dust jackets and promotion belt at one place.     

KADOKAWA selected HP because of its global strength in the publishing industry, its broad portfolio of industry-leading digital printing solutions, and its ability to deliver high-quality, high-value printing with advanced productivity and flexibility. 

“Publishers are reexamining every component of their supply chains to find new ways to streamline production and increase efficiency to cut costs,” said Mike Salfity, general manager and global head, Graphics Solutions Business, HP. “Today’s announcement further strengthens KADOKAWA’s position as one of the leading companies in the publishing industry. With the new category-defining HP Indigo and PageWide Web Press solutions, KADOKAWA will be able to deliver unparalleled production flexibility, faster turnarounds and on-demand printing, differentiating themselves from traditional publishers.”

HP PageWide Web Press T490M HD
HP PageWide Web Press T490M HD is a monochrome duplex high-speed inkjet web press that delivers exceptional print speeds, enhanced throughput and high-quality results with sharp, crisp text and high black optical density. Perfect for short or long runs, the robust web press delivers unprecedented speed and quality that is required to replace offset for many jobs.

HP Indigo 50000 Digital Press
The HP Indigo 50000 Digital Press is a 30-inch duplex web press offering breakthrough productivity with HP Indigo’s outstanding color quality. It enables the production of high-value, high-coverage applications on an extensive range of paper at low total cost of ownership. Designed for high-volume printing, it is a highly productive solution for photobooks, yearbooks, publications, direct mail and marketing collateral.   

The new 2016 HP digital press portfolio, including the HP Indigo 50000 Digital Press and HP PageWide Web Press T490M HD are showcased in HP Hall 17 at drupa, May 31 –  June 10 in Düsseldorf, Germany.