Swavesey, Cambridgeshire, UK – Industrial Inkjet Ltd’s rapid expansion into Africa is gathering pace with Konica Minolta’s market-leading printheads helping to develop new business opportunities. 

Additional major new African clients are set to sign with the company, known as IIJ, which announced its entrance into Africa in April last year. The company is a world leader in the supply of inkjet solutions into a wide range of applications, such as labels, packaging, document and security printing.

IIJ, which has worldwide operations, is also the official sales and technical support centre for Konica Minolta inkjet products outside of Asia. It provides complete inkjet solutions based on Konica Minolta’s industrial printheads that are renowned for high print quality and reliability.

The latest Konica Minolta printhead family member is the KM1800i high speed, high resolution piezo printhead. It uses the independent-channel technology proven in the KM1024i series and is designed to be used in high quality single-pass print systems. It runs at print speeds up to 200metres minute at 600x600dpi. IIJ is rolling out this printhead in its new “HiQ” product family.

Durban-based Pieter Le Grange, a respected print expert with vast experience and contacts on the continent, is spearheading the drive in Africa and opening up new applications across-the-board. Sales in the region so far range from the “retrofit” of inkjet modules onto existing flexo presses – to convert them into hybrid digital presses – all the way up to the supply of complete turn-key systems including cameras for print verification and special security software. To this end, IIJ is working increasing with AB Graphics presses. 

“IIJ is really becoming a brand in its own right across Africa,” said Mr Le Grange. “It’s developing an enviable reputation as an inkjet systems provider, coupled with providing fantastic back-up support. There are massive opportunities in Africa for IIJ to develop, particularly as so many printers don’t have huge funds for investment in expensive systems but want to provide a wider range of services.”

Traderplus is IIJ’s most high profile customer so far in Africa. Following the initial success of IIJ installations, the company has ordered two new IIJ ColourPrint engines – all part of a £2million investment to provide a “very customisable solution”. 

John Corrall, Managing Director of IIJ, said: “The Africa market is has proven to be a great opportunity for introducing our industrial inkjet systems that are proving ever-more popular at an increasing number of sites across the world. We have some further important installations in Africa, details of which we hope to announce soon.”