(April 30, 2002, Rolling Meadows, IL) In a year that proved difficult for many in the graphic arts industry, Komori America saw tremendous success, selling 26 presses in the Chicago area alone. Mike VanCalbergh, General Manager of Komori Midwest Sales, credits Komori’s success with providing a quality product and outstanding customer service. "When you take the quality and reliability of the Komori press and combine it with our after sales support, you’ve got a total value package that can’t be beat. Our sales and service organization is second to none in the industry," says VanCalbergh. Several first time Komori customers are among the new installations. They include: - Aim Business Printers, Vernon Hills, IL, a five color Lithrone 28 - Axios Communications, Libertyville, IL, a seven color, a six color and a two color Lithrone 40, and a four color Lithrone 20 - Carlith Printing, Carpentersville, IL, a six color Lithrone 40 with coater and a two color Lithrone 40 perfector - Consolidated Printing, Chicago, IL, a two color Sprint GS - Graphic Promotions, Cresthill, IL, a four color Lithrone 26 and a two color 26" Sprint - Gray Wolf Graphics, Crystal Lake, IL, a five color Lithrone 28 - McGrath Press, Crystal Lake, a four color Lithrone 28 - Sung Ji Print, Elk Grove Village, IL, a four color Lithrone 28 - TMC Graphics, DeKalb,IL, a four color Lithrone 28 - Trader Publishing, St. Charles, IL, a four color Lithrone 26 Mark Renie, District Sales Manager in Chicago says Komori’s success in Chicagoland is due in great part to their consultative selling process. "We don’t just go in and try to sell a press. We spend time learning about the customers business and their specific applications. We recommend a press that is right for their business." Renie says Komori sees their relationship with their customers as a partnership. "We work with our customers to create attractive financing options and help them grow their business to the next level. We don’t just make a sale and disappear. We’re with them through good times and bad." Many current Komori customers also added to their press line up this year. Renie says that working with customers in the current economy has been very rewarding. "We try to stay connected to our customers. We’ve been very successful at helping our customers grow. Many of our customers have seen the current economic situation as an opportunity to examine their businesses and expand into new markets." Current Komori customers who purchased additional presses this year include: - Segerdahl Graphics, Wheeling, IL, two six color Lithrone 40 presses with coaters, and one four color Lithrone 40 with coater - Ellton Printing, Glendale Heights,IL, a five color Lithrone 26 with coater and a two color Lithrone 26 - Graphic Partners, Zion, IL, a six color Lithrone 40 with coater - Quality Color, Elk Grove Village, IL, an eight color Lithrone 40 perfector with coater - The Force Enterprises, Tinley Park, IL, five color Lithrone 28 with coater - Intel Printing, Broadview, IL, a five color Lithrone 28 - Integra Graphics, a four color Lithrone 20 - Hagg Press, Elgin, IL, a four color Lithrone 40 Super Perfector VanCalbergh notes that Ellton Printing and The Force Enterprises moved into new facilities this year and Haag Press purchased the first Lithrone Super Perfector in the Midwest. "These are significant milestones for our customers and for Komori. We like to think that our customers grow with Komori; they know we’re with them for the long run," says VanCalbergh. Komori Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a premier manufacturer and worldwide distributor of offset printing presses. The Company has manufacturing facilities in Toride and Sekiyado, Japan, and subsidiaries in Europe, the UK and the United States. Komori America Corporation is based in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and manages a distribution and service network throughout the United States.