Konica Minolta and MGI Digital Graphic Technology enters into a strategic alliance
Konica Minolta invests minority stake in MGI and forms a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating the innovation and commercialization of next generation digital printing solutions
PARIS - January 20, 2014 and Tokyo - January 21, 2014—Konica Minolta, Inc.(Konica Minolta) and MGI Digital Graphic Technology (MGI) announced today that they have reached an agreement whereby Konica Minolta will acquire a 10% stake in MGI , valued at €13.7m, through a reserved capital increase. This investment will be dedicated to drive future growth, and is part of a common long term vision to establish a stronger presence in the professional digital printing market.
Building on a strong relationship that has lasted over a decade, the two business partners have agreed to expand their collaboration by entering into a strategic alliance that leverages both co-development and the co-marketing of existing and future products.
Creating new and mutually rewarding opportunities, Konica Minolta and MGI will build upon each other's strong history, proven track record of innovation and customer service to create a strong joint effort enabling long term successes.
This agreement will allow for:
- MGI to grow to greater heights as a global player, as it gains additional exposure supported by the strong reputation and positioning of Konica Minolta worldwide;
- Konica Minolta to capitalize on MGI's expertise in the digital printing market and its capacity to innovate;
- Both companies to devote their best efforts to expand sales of existing and new products, including, but not limited to, the Meteor Digital Press line;
As part of this alliance, MGI will maintain its independence and will remain autonomous in defining its strategic axes in the midst of a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
Edmond Abergel, CEO and Chairman of MGI: “We are very happy and proud that Konica Minolta recognizes our accomplishments and our unique capacity to innovate. This strategic alliance will be the basis for the development of tomorrow's innovative digital solutions.”
Konica Minolta, will promote the “genre-top strategy” (a strategy to concentrate the management resources on the most promising business areas and markets to ensure global leadership in these fields) in these growing markets, especially in the field of production printing systems. Through this strategic alliance, Konica Minolta aims to achieve group-wide growth and maximize its corporate value.
About Konica Minolta Inc.
Konica Minolta's core business, the Business Technologies Business, provides products, systems and solutions that bring innovation to the office and production printing markets. In the office segment, Konica Minolta has been developing its business with multi-functional peripherals (MFPs), “Optimized Print Services (OPS)” and comprehensive office solutions to help customers increase work efficiency globally.
In production print segment, Konica Minolta's digital printing systems have been providing end-users with enhanced values, built on competitive advantages from its own core technologies in advanced color output. Renowned for outstanding image quality, durability and stability, Konica Minolta has strengthened its position as a leading global provider of color output solutions in the light production market. In addition, Konica Minolta has been developing a new inkjet digital press, turning its ground-breaking inkjet technologies into high-speed, high-quality and highly-reliable digital throughput. Under the communication message “Giving Shape to Ideas,” Konica Minolta strives to create new values that support sustainable growth of the customers and society.
In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, Konica Minolta's consolidated net sales were 813 billion yen, while the Business Technologies Business accounted for 72% of that.
For additional information about Konica Minolta, visit www.konicaminolta.com
About MGI Digital Graphic Technology
Founded in 1982, The MGI Group designs, manufactures and markets a full and innovative range of award-winning digital presses and a complete line of versatile finishing solutions. Through the acquisition of Ceradrop in 2013, MGI has become the French leader in inkjet equipment for printed electronics market and the printing of 3D components.
MGI has a portfolio comprised of several thousand customers in a wide range of sectors, including graphic industry professionals, Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, plastic card manufacturers, silk screeners and photo labs.
A leader in the professional graphic equipment market, MGI is registered on the Euronext Paris Alternext stock exchange (ALMDG). They received the prestigious OSEO “Innovative Company” & “OSEO Excellence” labels respectively in 2009 & 2012 in recognition of their expertise and innovation in the graphics & finishing industry. In addition, MGI has won twelve international product awards from 2008-2011 related to technological innovation, including the 2010 Siemens Innovation Grand Prix and the 2011 Engineering Prize for its color inkjet technology.
With over 150 employees around the world (as of December 2013), MGI earned net sales of over EUR27.1 million in financial year 2012/12.
For additional information about MGI, visit www.mgi-fr.com