At pacprocess 2019, scheduled from 12-14 December 2019 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, Konica Minolta showcased industrial printing application samples and connected its MGI JV customers with print buyers. The company has taken similar measures in the recent past, where it participated in a couple of other exhibitions. “The idea was to connect more end-users with our customers and to demonstrate innovative and exciting applications to various industries, such as pharma, agrochemicals, and food. The investment in IP solutions is extremely high. We don’t want to be the kind of company that sells the press and forgets about its customers. Our main motive has always been to grow together with our customers. Though the 3DW machine hasn’t yet been installed in India, we showcased its products at the event. The idea is to create a buzz before it enters the market,” said Vijay Kamat, national product manager – Industrial Print, Konica Minolta.
He further added that some customers are even keen to export printed work. Hence, KM targeted export opportunities for its customers at the event. KM met as many brands as possible during the show. It also targeted representatives of various brands from the packaging development department. “They influence internal marketing decisions and have the deciding authority. They typically are the focal points of the packaging companies,” Kamat stated.
IP Applications Demo Day
Konica Minolta India organized an Industrial Printing Applications Demo Day on 9 December 2019, where it invited print buyers to demonstrate its portfolio of digital printing presses and embellishment machines. Companies such as Nestle, Dabur, Samsung and Bacardi were invited to the Konica Minolta Demo Innovation Center in Gurugram, Haryana. Along with these companies, KM also invited some graphic designers from design agencies who influence the decisions of significant print buyers across the country.
KM demonstrated samples printed on its webfed AccurioLabel 230 digital label press, the MGI JetVarnish digital embellishment machine, and the AccurioJet KM1 – the B2 sized sheetfed inkjet press from Konica Minolta. Apart from the printed, enhanced and diecut samples, it also showcased its presses – the KM AccurioLabel 230, and two variants of the MGI JetVarnish machine, a 14-inch variant and a 29-inch larger format variant meant for packaging embellishment.
Talking about the 29-inch model of the MGI JetVarnish, Kamat said, “We have not yet been able to install a 29-inch variant in India which is for the packaging market. Most of the packaging companies tell us that they usually do not have short-run printing work, but have long runs. However, our interaction with end-users gave us a different story; they say that they also want to create packaging for one person. Customized packaging attracts value in the market, especially for special occasions, and consumers don’t hesitate to spend extra on such occasions. Our digital presses are ideal for such customer demands, and we want to encourage brands to team up with our customers for personalized packaging.”
drupa 2020 to open up new possibilities in market
MGI JetVarnish digital embellishment press comes in three variants – 14 inch, 20 inch, and 29 inch. The company has quite a few installations for its 14-inch entry-level option while it has installed the 20-inch mid-sized variant in Ahmedabad. There are a couple of customers that Konica Minolta is in talks with for the 29-inch digital embellishment press. Yet, the KM team in India thinks that customers seem to prefer to wait till drupa for further technological advancements in the machine before finalizing. On the other hand, Kamat said that the requirement for the 14-inch model has shot up suddenly in the market.
“drupa 2020 is going to be the deciding factor for many investments in India. For larger investments, higher Capex is required where drupa will play a key role in explaining the possibilities and applications of high-end machines in the market – in turn, driving the investment plans of customers. However, we do tell all our customers that our products are drupa-compliant in the sense that any change in the technology introduced at drupa can be installed on machines purchased from now to drupa,” Kamat explained.
Labelexpo 2019 at Brussels
Konica Minolta demonstrated the MGI 3DW its roll-to-roll digital embellishment label press along with its latest digital label press, AccurioLabel 230, at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels. The MGI machine has eight installations worldwide thus far. However, it is yet to be launched in India. Konica Minolta India may launch the MGI 3DW early next year.
“Out of 60 visitors who were interested in the press, 15 were from India. I think MGI 3DW will attract numerous label printers in India. Again, this press will require a huge investment. Even though we didn’t discuss the commercials at the stand during the event, I’m sure that quite a few of the 15 interested printers will go ahead once it is launched in the country,” said Kamat. Konica Minolta India has so far installed one KM C71 CF, one AL 230 and three AL 190 digital label presses. With the MGI 3DW press, printers can create an embossed foil effect on the labels, unlike the usual de-bossed effect post foil through the traditional method.
