Konica Minolta SA reigns supreme in local infoSource 2011 survey

In an industry sales survey by market data specialist, infoSource, Konica Minolta South Africa, a Bidvest company, has taken the leading position for the local office automation market, with 18.9 percent market share for the full year of 2011. The survey includes both office and production segments of the sector.

“This is a phenomenal 24 percent increase in market share from the 2010 results, where we were placed in second position,” explains Andrew Griffith, product manager for office products at Konica Minolta South Africa.

In the individual market segments of office and production, these gains have been just as dramatic, he says. “In the office market, we grew to a leading 18,7 percent market share, which is also a 24 percent growth from 2010. Last year, we occupied second place in the 2010 report with 14,4 percent of the office market.”

Griffith maintains that the company’s improved product mix and broader range, as well as its service dedication, are to thank for this leap forward. “We’ve seen serious development in the entry-level A4 b&w and colour market, where Konica Minolta has taken the best of its A3 models – in terms of functionality, custom development and finishing capabilities – and made these features available in an A4 format. These new devices provide the best value for money for medium to large businesses in South Africa, while offering durability, versatility and reliability.”

In the production market, Konica Minolta South Africa has seen unprecedented growth over 2011, strengthening its position by an astounding 38 percent to reach second place with 27,7 percent market share.

Says Griffith: “Our production line has been instilled with the same attributes that have created such value in our office range of products, resulting in a highly cost effective, quality finished product. This was highlighted by the receipt of BERTL’s coveted Best Production Line of the Year award for our bizhub PRESS C8000, bizhub PRESS C7000 and bizhub PRO 1200 machines, the fourth BERTL accolade won by Konica Minolta’s production print portfolio last year.”

Furthermore, Griffith believes that Konica Minolta South Africa’s serious investment in the production side of the business has assisted in the organisation’s growth, with the company boasting four recipients of Konica Minolta Business Technologies’ highest professional education certification, the Diploma in Color, joining the expert rank of a total of only seven Asia Pacific achievers of this qualification.

The sought-after certification has been described as second to none in its design and scope in the entire printing market. It provides its receivers with the competencies to meet the digital world’s demand for reliable services and expert consultancy in standardised results and colour output.

“The combination of our technical competence, value added solutions and focused service delivery has ensured that Konica Minolta South Africa takes top position in both third party and our clients’ judgments, a place we intend to stay,” Griffith concludes.