Konica Minolta reinforces dual branding strategy

Merger plans with Develop GmbH

Langenhagen/Germany, April 18th, 2012

The management of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Deutschland GmbH and Develop GmbH aim to strengthen market position with a planned merger of Develop GmbH with those two companies.

The group engages in a new era with a dual growth strategy whereby both brands together perfectly complement customer needs. A consolidation of the brands Konica Minolta and Develop in Konica Minolta’s European headquarters and a coordinated go-to-market strategy offer even more comprehensive solutions for customers in the B2B market for enterprise wide printing and document workflow. The planned merger is in line with Konica Minolta’s overall strategy.

The most important goal for the merger is growth achieved by a targeted dual-brand strategy. Separately managed brands ensure that the requirements of both customer segments are met, which will help exploit the full potential of each segment. A further rationale behind the merger is to increase market penetration by employing a coordinated marketing strategy. Moreover, the merger will ensure sustainable quality improvement by gathering resources and strengths in the headquarters as well as German sales operations, enabling more effective customer oriented solutions and professional support.

"We are convinced that a common and integrated strategy offers essential benefits for our customers along all relevant dimensions: marketing, sales and service support. As can be expected from a transaction of this magnitude, most of the details of the integration are still to be developed by both companies. But this growth will truly strengthen our group further in order to deliver the best service to all our customers, depending on their needs," comments Ken Osuga, President, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe.

All legalities of the merger are planned to be completed by September 2012.

Product images are available at www.konicaminolta-images.eu.

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Contact

Olaf Lorenz

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH

Phone: +49 (0)511 740 4378

Olaf.Lorenz(at)konicaminolta.eu

Tanja Johannsen

CrossPR

Phone: +49 (0)172 523 1699

johannsen(at)crosspr.de