David Nuttall, the Senior Executive for Indirect Sales at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, speaks to ME Printer about the new distributor appointment in Egypt
Tell us about Konica Minolta’s presence in the Middle East and African Markets?
Konica Minolta is represented in 45 countries in the Middle East and Africa through our extensive Distributor Network. This way Konica Minolta, as a recognized global supplier to the print industry, provides a local approach to its end-users and the ability to dive deep in to specifics.
You recently appointed a new distributor for Egypt. Who is this distributor?
DigiPro is a subsidiary of Al Madina for Advanced Technology – a company of more than 25 successful years in the printing and packaging industry in Egypt and International markets. DigiPro is the specialized arm of Al Madina in digital printing and finishing solutions; looking into the whole document life cycle: from generation to final destination as a final product, through multi-channel output web presents, archive, email, printing, and finishing, reconciliation, and tracking.
DigiPro offers the most professional solutions to cover data center printing, your back, and front office applications; such as printing reports, statements, advice, pay slips, and receipts. This is in addition to in-house printing and finishing of marketing materials, flyers, magazines, newsletters, brochures, books and booklets in an easy-cost effective-and professional way.
Did you already have distributors in Egypt before this appointment or is this the first distributor for the Egyptian market?
Before we were working together with other distributors but we feel the DigiPro will provide a better fit for our total product portfolio. They have extensive experience and background in the digital printing industry, so we are expecting a form of our new partnership.
How did you zero in on the new distributor? What made them stand out from the other distributor options?
DigiPro has a proven track record in the National Egyptian digital print market. They represent a great understanding of the Egyptian and neighboring markets. This was very important for Konica Minolta as we are looking to improve our current market share dramatically. Paired with an outstanding business plan and reputation we knew that we had found a great partner to represent Konica Minolta in Egypt and to increase our market share.
What sort of products and solutions will this new distributor handle for the Egyptian Market?
DigiPro will be handling the full product and solution portfolio of Konica Minolta Business Solutions – Office Products and Solutions, Production Printing Products and Solutions and Industrial Printing. Including DICOM and eventually the KM-1. Also products like augmented reality – bringing print to life.
How do you foresee the prospects for the MEA region this year?
Konica Minolta has a very positive outlook although this might be hindered by geographical and political issues, but we feel there is an enormous potential, room to grow the business and to extend the market share.
Do you plan to enter new markets this year?
Yes, Konica Minolta has plans to cover any white areas, continue to improve and evaluate the existing market. The good presence of DigiPro in the DICOM & Graphic Arts area, our plan is to go aggressively with Konica Minolta through the Egyptian Market using our the full range of the strong brand Konica Minolta with our long experience in office automation, software solutions, and industrial printing. Targeting all market segments (vertical markets such as governmental tenders, telecom, gas & petrol, construction, education, and so on.) offering MPS solutions, IT Services, Industrial Printing Solutions, … etc to give Konica Minolta the right Market Share in the Egyptian Market.
What sort of milestones do you have in mind for 2019?
In 2019 we expect the market share from Konica Minolta to increase to 8%. Konica Minolta is striving to be become market leaders in the Middle Eastern and African Region, as we have been for the last 9 years in a row (source: InfoSource) in the European production printing market. Konica Minolta will keep on opening new business opportunities in order to make our customers business future proof and we will keep on providing them with innovative solutions as well as consulting, enabling them to enter new business fields and help them to expand their business.
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