Brussels, Belgium - Konica Minolta at Labelexpo today has announced a “100th customer” milestone, strategic partnership in Europe with finishing specialist GM and the launch of a new product to underpin its accelerating growth path within industrial printing. 

On its stands [C51 and C52 Hall 8], Konica Minolta is demonstrating products and solutions that provide business efficiency and value improvement for label, industrial and commercial printing customers. The full cycle of a production of a label, from the reception of a file to the finished labels on rolls, will be a key feature on the stand at the show.

At the heart of that offering, Konica Minolta is formally unveiling its AccurioLabel 190 full-digital toner press that, in Europe, was developed and manufactured in cooperation with Danish company Grafisk Maskinfabrik (GM). Shipping is expected to start in December. Elsewhere in the world, the winders will still be provided by established partner Miyakoshi for Konica Minolta’s label systems.

Konica Minolta’s proven digital toner-based technology for labels is used extensively at customer sites across the world. Today, Konica Minolta announces the 100th customer in the world for its label systems, which are provided locally, along with delivery of parts and consumables. 

Especially in terms of service Konica Minolta is the best, according to Robert Gallagher, production director at UK customer Soabar Ltd. He said: “We chose Konica Minolta because the service side has been fantastic, as has been the support and back-up. They didn’t just sell us the machine, it’s everything else they have helped us with, we won’t get it any better anywhere else.” 

Konica Minolta label press systems fill the gap between entry level and high-end digital printing presses. Converters benefit from its ease of operation, production flexibility, fast turnaround and variable data printing capabilities, as well as world-class support and service.

The easy-to-operate Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 190 benefits from stable colour consistency and 1200x1200 dpi offset-style quality. No pre-coating is required. The new machine for Europe comes with a web guiding system as a standard. It will succeed the C71cf – Konica Minolta’s first full-digital label press system - launched at Labelexpo two years ago. At Labelexpo 2017 Konica Minolta demonstrates the capability of the AccurioLabel 190 to work in two ways: either as inline-finishing solution together with the GM DC330Mini as well as for the two devices to work as stand-alone solutions, fulfilling the need for flexibility that the market requires. The AccurioPro Label Impose software rounds up the offer for a fast and efficient imposition of label.

Reinforcing the strategic alliance between MGI Digital Technology and Konica Minolta, the two companies will unveil and showcase the new digital embellishment press JETvarnish 3DWeb for label and flexible packaging, including shrink film. The digital inkjet press produces in-line flat and 3D spot UV coating, 3D embossed varnish textures, flat and embossed foil effects. The full solution also includes a flexo priming station for uncoated material surface management and a semi-rotary die-cutting system at the end of the production for an all-in-one production.

Charles Lissenburg, General Manager, Professional Print Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, said: “Today marks important milestones for Konica Minolta as we accelerate our business developments in the industrial production print markets, with labels a key growth area.”

“We are extremely proud of just how far we have come in a short space of time since entering the labels market. Our proven digital toner technology is used extensively at customer sites across the globe and is backed by world-class service and support that is provided locally, along with delivery of parts and consumables. Finishing is provided on- or off-line.”

He added: “Two years ago – after carefully screening and listening to the market – we introduced a system that had real unique selling points and thus created real new business opportunities for our growing customer base, which now covers more than 100 sites globally. We have listened carefully to their feedback, which has really helped shape our ideas and thinking. The new AccurioLabel 190 takes us on to the next stage of our development as a serious player in the industrial markets.”