With an eye to the 2009 business challenge – keeping costs as low as possible while maintaining quality of production, service and delivery – companies are turning to suppliers who can meet all objectives. In the arena of document technology (printing, copying, scanning and archiving) Konica Minolta is leading the refurbished market by capitalising on some emerging buyer needs and trends.

Facing the challenge of marrying the demand for high-quality colour with cost-effectiveness and increased sustainability, Konica Minolta has responded with a suite of options for both new and refurbished machines.

The year to date has seen 70% growth in the category of refurbished colour machines, which are not only more economical but kinder to the environment. Konica Minolta has an eight-step process for recycling and refurbishing machines and is able to pass associated cost savings on to client companies while reducing its own carbon footprint.

The company is the largest supplier of refurbished machines in the New Zealand market. The growth has been driven by the appeal to clients of an economic, reliable solution that is also more sustainable, says National Marketing Manager Josh Byers.

“Employing one of our Renaissance machines or what the market calls refurbished increases their green credentials to their own clients, without requiring a compromise in quality. Colour is the professional standard, so our focus in recent years has been on linking affordability with better quality, smarter software and providing the same guarantees as new machines. This means companies can keep more of the related services, such as printing, scanning, storage and archiving, in-house rather than outsourcing as in the past – leading to more cost saving.”

The strategy is reflected in a 30% increase in sales of new colour machines in the past year. “There will always be a market for new machines, as there are ever-changing technology advancements in document printing and integration, so we focus on best-practice research and development for both,” Mr Byers says. “We’re boosted in this by the work being done by the Konica Minolta Corporation in Japan, which owns 10% of the New Zealand business, and where some of the leading technological advancement is occurring.”

He says professional clients, which range from major banks to real estate companies, law firms, architects and advertising agencies, are eager to host all printing and document management in-house.

“Regardless of the specifics of the machine, what companies want in this market is a document management solution that integrates into their back-end systems, helps them gain productivity, saves money, streamlines workflow and bring elements of outsourced print material in-house. Technology is being used to counter the effects of the depressed economy.”

The current bestselling machines feature integration of ‘smart’ software that connects documents with a company’s own systems. Konica Minolta has developed a number of market leading security features that suit many companies, such as those doing confidential law-related or government work. The company even has a finger vein recognition feature in some models.

With cost management a top priority for clients, Konica Minolta has developed a free business audit, which analyses the total cost of ownership, identifies ways to reduce print costs and improve workflow, and ensures right-fit technology, training and systems integration.