11 October 2024
Konica Minolta plans significant expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Konica Minolta announced its participation in Gulf Print & Pack 2025 in January. The company intends to showcase a range of machines designed to meet the needs of commercial printers and modern printshops, including the AccurioPress C14000, C7100, C4080 with IQ-501, AccurioShine 3600, AccurioLabel 400, the MGI JetVarnish 3600 and AL 400.
Commented Kazim Mankani, Regional Business Manager in charge of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, explained: “The AccurioPress series is known for its high-speed production, remarkable colour consistency and ease of use. The IQ-501 Intelligent Quality Optimizer ensures automated quality control for consistent results. For printshops, these machines reduce manual interventions, offer faster turnaround times and guarantee precise output with minimal wastage. Commercial printers will benefit from the machines' scalability, enabling them to handle larger volumes without compromising on quality.”
Exploring new market opportunities, many commercial printers are diversifying into embellishment and tactile effects to enhance their products. Konica Minolta’s MGI JetVarnish 3600 “offers advanced digital embellishment capabilities with spot UV coating and 3D tactile effects. It supports a wide range of substrates and is perfect for creating high-value print products,” explains Mankani. “Printshops can provide premium finishing options that set them apart in the market, while commercial printers can attract new business by offering enhanced visual and tactile features to their clients.”
Konica Minolta will also be showcasing its latest AL400 digital label press. “This is known for its precision and versatility,” says Mankani. “It supports a wide range of substrates and includes the ability to print white, which is essential for creating standout designs on transparent and coloured materials. For printshops, the AL400 offers flexibility and increased production speed, allowing them to meet the growing demand for high-quality labels. For converters, it enables rapid job changeovers and provides a cost-effective solution for short to medium label runs, giving them a competitive edge in a fast-paced market.”
Having sold an MGI and C14000 to Final Touch Printing Press and Diaa Al Alwan Printing Press, Al Yahya and Green Icon Printing Press in the last year, Konica Minolta is planning significant expansion into the Saudi market over the next two years. “With the rapid growth in Saudi Arabia driven by its Vision 2030 initiatives, the demand for professional and industrial printing solutions is on the rise. We are actively exploring opportunities to enhance our presence in the region by offering innovative technologies and expanding our partnerships with local businesses. The future is very bright in Saudi Arabia, and we see it as a key market for growth, both in the short and long term.”
Nayyar Ansari, Regional Business Development Manager, professional printing, gave his insights into the production print market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “While both the Saudi and UAE production print markets are dynamic and growing, there are some notable differences.
The UAE market is mature, with a strong focus on digital transformation and a high demand for luxury print products, especially in sectors like hospitality and events. The Kingdom, on the other hand, is experiencing rapid growth due to the country's Vision 2030 initiatives, which are driving significant investment in infrastructure and development. The Saudi market is expanding, with an increasing demand for both high-quality digital print solutions and commercial printing to support various industries such as education, government, and retail. In summary, while the UAE market is largely advanced, the Saudi market is rapidly catching up and offers enormous potential for growth, especially as the demand for print solutions increases across various sectors.”
View Konica Minolta's full range of products here.