By Taktiful
(Watch the video interview here.)
A Surprising Call and an Irresistible Opportunity
When Frank Mallozzi announced his retirement after a 25-year tenure at EFI, where he served as Chief Revenue Officer, many in the print industry believed they had seen the last of his influential leadership. However, like a seasoned quarterback drawn back to the game, Mallozzi couldn’t resist the allure of a new challenge. In a recent episode of “Taktiful Tuesdays,” hosted by Eric Vessels of Taktiful, Mallozzi opened up about his return to the industry as the President of Konica Minolta’s Industrial Print and Production (IPP) Group.
Mallozzi’s transition from retirement back into the corporate world wasn’t part of his initial plan. After decades of dedicating himself to his career, he was ready to explore other interests, including consulting and philanthropy. However, a phone call from Sam Errigo, CEO of Konica Minolta, changed everything.
“Sam reached out while I was exploring my retirement,” Mallozzi recalled. “He said, ‘I’ve known you a long time, and it’d be great to catch up and share with you what we’re doing.’” Intrigued, Mallozzi agreed to a meeting. What he discovered was a company on the cusp of significant innovation, with a portfolio that surprised even a veteran like himself.
“I couldn’t believe the addressable markets and the success they’ve built over the years,” he said. “They have three key segments they’re focusing on: B2 inkjet technology, electrophotographic label printing, and digital embellishment—the crown jewel.”
Leading Konica Minolta’s IPP Group
Mallozzi’s new role places him at the helm of Konica Minolta’s efforts in industrial print and production. The company’s focus on innovation in B2 inkjet technology addresses the ongoing shift from analog to digital printing. “Konica Minolta plays a really nice part in that transition, and the technology is off the charts,” he noted.
In the electrophotographic label printing segment, the company boasts an impressive market share. They’ve introduced new products with advanced functionalities, such as their “one-hit white” technology, which offers incredibly opaque white printing for enhanced quality.
However, it’s the digital embellishment sector that truly excites Mallozzi. “I kind of look at that as a constant development. It’s the crown jewel, and to Konica Minolta’s credit, they’ve been involved for quite a while, but really way ahead of its time,” he said.
The Challenge of Building New Markets
One of the significant challenges Mallozzi acknowledges is the need for market development in digital embellishment. Unlike replacing existing presses where a customer already has a book of business, digital embellishment requires building demand from the ground up.
“It’s not about price; it’s about value. How can you compete differently than the guy down the block?” Mallozzi emphasized. “You have to articulate those applications and bring that business development acumen and know-how to the customer base.”
Strategic Collaboration with Taktiful
Recognizing these challenges, Mallozzi sees immense potential in collaborating with Taktiful, a company specializing in business development, education, and software solutions for the print industry. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between technological innovation and market adoption, ensuring that customers can fully leverage the capabilities of digital embellishment.
“When you start to hear about the value, business development, getting more out of the jobs you have today, it makes a lot of sense,” Mallozzi said. “Taktiful is spot on with their approach, and partnering with them complements our embellishment portfolio and the services we offer.”
Eric Vessels shared this enthusiasm, highlighting the synergy between the two organizations. “A lot of what we’re trying to do at Taktiful is the education piece, in addition to building software tools that will make all of it much easier,” Vessels explained. “We’re excited about the potential to work together more closely and bring real value to both our customers and the industry at large.”
The collaboration is set to focus on several key initiatives:
- Educational Programs: Developing training modules and masterclasses to educate customers on how to sell, market, and price digital embellishment services effectively.
- Software Solutions: Integrating Taktiful’s advanced software tools with Konica Minolta’s technology to simplify processes and enhance user experience.
- Market Development: Joint efforts in business development activities to accelerate market adoption and create new revenue streams for customers.
Mallozzi is confident that this partnership will be a game-changer. “Between the two of us, the customer base out there is going to benefit immensely,” he stated. “We have one of the largest commercial footprints and the infrastructure to support customers in the industrial print space. Combining that with Taktiful’s business development know-how is incredibly exciting.”
Vessels echoed this sentiment, noting the seamless alignment between the teams. “One of my big things is that business is about people,” he said. “When we have calls with Konica Minolta, it’s like we’re working for the same company. The synergy is incredible, and that will speak to a lot of success.”
Leadership Lessons and the Power of Networking
Beyond business strategies and market segments, Mallozzi shared invaluable leadership insights gleaned over his expansive career. He emphasized the importance of networking, execution, and planning.
“Network. You’ve got to network,” he advised. “I’m not trying to be old school here. The virtual world is great, but you have to have a balance with meeting people and making that impression.”
Mallozzi also stressed the significance of execution over mere strategizing. “When I see an idea and I look at something, I’ve got to drive it. You build that plan, get it out to the marketplace, and then you start seeing those successes.”
In a personal revelation, Mallozzi shared how he recently completed his MBA after a 35-year hiatus. “I graduated like two weeks ago,” he said proudly. “I’m thinking about my five-year plan. Maybe I’d like to go teach at a community college. You need that kind of degree to do that.”
A Testament to Enduring Professional Relationships
The conversation between Mallozzi and Vessels also highlighted the enduring value of professional relationships. Having first met when Mallozzi was at EFI and Vessels was running “WhatTheyThink,” both have moved on to new ventures but continue to find opportunities to collaborate.
“This interview is an example of the power of networking,” Vessels remarked. “We’re somewhere different now, but we’re still doing what we’re doing. That speaks to the testament of that relationship with people, not just the companies.”
Mallozzi agreed, emphasizing that successful collaboration often comes down to shared philosophies and past experiences. “You go back to those playbooks that work,” he said. “The synergies in what we know collectively help us put something together that can really make an impact.”
Looking Forward
As the interview wrapped up, both Mallozzi and Vessels expressed excitement about the future. Mallozzi is eager to lead Konica Minolta’s IPP Group into a new era of innovation, leveraging strategic collaborations and his wealth of experience.
“I’m here to take it to the next level,” he said confidently. “With Taktiful’s expertise in business development and our technological advancements, we’re poised to redefine what’s possible in the industry.”
Vessels echoed this optimism. “We look forward to working with you and Konica Minolta more,” he said. “This collaboration is not just beneficial for us but for the entire industry.”
Conclusion
Frank Mallozzi’s return to the print industry is more than just a personal comeback; it’s a strategic move that promises to inject fresh energy and innovation into Konica Minolta’s industrial print and production initiatives. By addressing market challenges head-on and forging strategic partnerships with companies like Taktiful, Mallozzi is positioning Konica Minolta to lead in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital embellishment.
His journey underscores the importance of passion, continuous learning, and the power of professional relationships. As the industry watches this next chapter unfold, one thing is clear: Frank Mallozzi is far from finished making his mark, and his collaborative efforts with Taktiful are set to bring unprecedented value to customers and the industry at large.
