Konica Minolta has leveraged 15 years in India to evolve from traditional printing to integrated digital workplace solutions. Its growth strategy focuses on automation, workflow integration, and expansion into high-growth segments such as labels and packaging. In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India, articulates his strategic vision for future-ready operations and the company’s plans for India. 

Konica Minolta recently completed 15 years in India. What milestones have defined this journey, and which end-user industries have driven demand?

Konica Minolta’s 15-year journey in India has been shaped by a consistent focus on innovation, customer-centricity, and integrated digital solutions. Key milestones include establishing a strong nationwide presence, building a robust channel and service network, and becoming a market leader in production print. Over time, we have evolved from offering standalone devices to delivering intelligent, workflow-driven solutions that enable businesses to improve efficiency, scalability, and output quality.

One of the key learnings from this journey is that customers today are increasingly outcome focused. They are looking for solutions that not only enhance print capabilities but also streamline operations, reduce costs, and enable faster decision-making. This has guided our shift towards automation, intelligent document management, and connected workplace solutions.

Looking ahead, our next phase of growth will be driven by deeper adoption of digital transformation, workflow integration, and expansion into emerging application areas such as labels, packaging, and value-added printing. We also see strong potential in regional markets, where businesses are rapidly adopting modern, scalable technologies.

As Managing Director, what are your strategic priorities for growth in India’s evolving digital and print ecosystem?

Our key strategic priorities in India focus on driving digital transformation through automation, workflow integration, and intelligent connected solutions. We aim to move beyond products and position ourselves as a technology partner, enabling businesses to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance productivity.

We are also expanding in high-growth areas such as labels, packaging, and regional markets, while strengthening our channel network and service capabilities. Overall, our focus is on delivering measurable business outcomes and supporting customers in building scalable, future-ready operations.

With digital transformation gaining emphasis, how is Konica Minolta evolving beyond traditional printing?

Traditional printing has always been an integral part of the company’s operations. But with the increasing emphasis on the digital transformation, we are evolving traditional printing by building on its strong imaging expertise and expanding into end-to-end digital workplace solutions. Printing continues to remain a core strength, but today it is part of a larger, integrated ecosystem that combines hardware, software, and intelligent workflows. Through solutions such as intelligent document management, workflow automation, and Managed Content Services (MCS), we enable organisations to move from manual, fragmented processes to connected, automated, and data-driven environments. This helps businesses digitise information, streamline operations, and improve decision-making.

Our focus is on delivering measurable business outcomes, enhancing productivity, reducing operational complexity, and enabling seamless information flow. By combining our imaging heritage with digital innovation and a consultative approach, we are positioning Konica Minolta as a comprehensive digital workplace partner supporting enterprises in their transformation journey.

How do you see India’s printing industry evolving over the next 5–10 years?

The value equation is changing, yet India's print industry will expand. Demand is shifting toward mass customisation, quicker turnaround times, and shorter runs, areas where digital printing shines. For high-volume applications, traditional print is still crucial. Automation, data intelligence, and digital technology will improve accuracy and agility rather than replace traditional ways in the upcoming integrative evolution. In India, over the next 5-10 years, businesses that operate quickly and adaptively across both domains with the help of integrated workflows will prosper.

Sustainability is becoming central to business strategies globally. How is sustainability integrated into Konica Minolta’s strategy in India?

Sustainability is a core pillar of Konica Minolta’s global and India strategy, guided by long-term frameworks such as Eco Vision 2050 and a strong focus on addressing climate change and resource efficiency. We are advancing energy-efficient technologies, reducing emissions, and optimising production processes, supported by initiatives like our Green Products and Green Factory certification systems. Our efforts also extend to decarbonisation across operations and the supply chain, increasing the use of renewable energy, and promoting responsible practices such as recycling, resource conservation, and the reduction of packaging materials. 

In India, this commitment is further strengthened through solutions that enable customers to operate more sustainably. Through on-demand printing, intelligent document management, workflow automation, and Managed Content Services, we help organisations reduce waste, minimise paper usage, and improve operational efficiency. Our focus is to ensure sustainability is not just an internal priority, but a value we actively deliver, helping businesses build more efficient, responsible, and future-ready operations.

What is the role of print in emerging markets like India despite paperless trends?

While digital transformation continues to accelerate, the future is not about eliminating print but about creating a balanced ecosystem where physical and digital workflows coexist. In markets like India, paper continues to play a critical role across sectors such as education, healthcare, packaging, and compliance-driven industries, where physical documents remain essential for communication, trust, and record-keeping.

What is evolving is the role of print. It is becoming more intelligent, efficient, and purpose-driven, supported by digital integration and automation. Modern print solutions are enabling on-demand production, reduced waste, personalisation, and faster turnaround times, making them more sustainable and business-relevant. In this context, the printing industry will continue to be a key enabler, especially in emerging markets, by bridging physical and digital workflows and supporting organisations in building more efficient and connected operations.

How are automation, AI, and smart manufacturing reshaping the industry globally?

Advancements such as automation, AI, and smart manufacturing are fundamentally reshaping the printing and imaging industry by transforming it from a device-led ecosystem to a data-driven, intelligent, and service-oriented environment. Today, AI is playing a central role across the value chain, from intelligent document capture and processing to predictive maintenance and workflow automation, enabling businesses to operate with greater efficiency, accuracy, and speed. For instance, AI-powered solutions can automatically capture, classify, and process information from documents, significantly reducing manual effort, minimising errors, and improving turnaround times.

At the same time, automation and smart manufacturing are enabling more agile, cost-efficient, and scalable production environments. Technologies such as Managed Print Services and cloud-based platforms are helping organisations optimise costs, improve device utilisation, and ensure proactive maintenance through predictive analytics. Additionally, the integration of AI in areas like cybersecurity, ESG data management, and intelligent workflows is allowing businesses to build more secure, compliant, and sustainable operations. Overall, these advancements are redefining the industry by shifting the focus from standalone print capabilities to end-to-end digital ecosystems that drive productivity, reduce operational complexity, and support future-ready enterprise transformation.

What are Konica Minolta’s growth plans for India?

India remains a key strategic growth market for Konica Minolta, and our plans are focused on expanding our presence through deeper market penetration, enhanced service capabilities, and continued investments in digital solutions. We are strengthening our reach across Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, where demand for automation, digital printing, and workflow solutions is growing rapidly.

We are also investing in expanding our channel ecosystem and service network to ensure faster, more localised support for customers. In parallel, our focus is on scaling our portfolio across high-growth segments such as labels, packaging, and value-added applications, while continuing to build capabilities in digital workplace solutions, automation, and intelligent workflows.

Overall, our growth strategy is centred on long-term investment in the market, customer-centric innovation, and building a strong, scalable ecosystem that supports India’s evolving digital and print landscape.