PROCTER DEPARTS KONICA MINOLTA

David Procter – widely recognised as a driving force behind Konica Minolta’s entry into digital printing here in Australia and subsequent growth – leaves today after 20 years representing the company in the print industry.

A restructure means Procter, latterly chief operating officer at Konica Minolta, is now looking for new opportunities.

As the new century opened, Procter took on the role of establishing Konica Minolta in production print, and has overseen it to the strong position it plays now. The company entered the market at PrintEx 2003, but made its big splash at PacPrint two years later.

At the time Fuji Xerox dominated the digital A3 cutsheet market, but over the years under Procter’s direction Konica Minolta gained the recognition and trust of local printers, thanks to the technology, a commitment to support, and savvy marketing, eventually challenging for top spot.

Today Konica Minolta is on the shortlist for virtually every print business looking at a cutsheet A3 colour or monochrome digital print system. It has also moved into industrial print, with its B2 inkjet AccurioJet, its digital label system AccurioLabel, and its digital embellishing systems from MGI, which it owns.

When asked what he will remember most about his time with Konica Minolta, Procter said, “The introduction of the C6500 Digital Press nearly 17 years ago, then the KM1 B2 inkjet press, but most importantly the staff and customers I got to work with. Overseeing both the sales and service teams for the last five years has been a great experience.”

Procter is looking forward to seeing what new opportunities he can explore.