Konica Minolta 1999 Annual Report Download - page 17

KONICA 13
BUSINESS MACHINES, CAMERAS, AND OPTICAL
PRODUCTS
Sales in the Business Machines segment climbed 7.6%, to
¥247.7 billion.
Copiers and Facsimile Machines
Competition in the market for copiers reached new heights,
as makers responded to customer needs by releasing new
high-speed digital copier/printer machines ideal for raising
productivity in a networked office environment. To distinguish
itself in this rapidly changing market, Konica has adopted a new
brand name, SITIOS (System Integrated Task Input/Output
System), for its copiers in Japan. Events were held throughout
Japan to launch the new brand name. Also, the Company reor-
ganized its market promotion and technical support functions in
a new customer support center, thereby improving its ability to
offer fast and responsive customer services.
RKonica began the full-scale marketing of its high-speed Konica
7060 and Konica 7150 integrated printer/copier systems, which
serve as seamless interfaces for various document production
functions. The Company’s digital copier lineup was also
strengthened by the release of the Konica 7040/7104 and the
Konica 7033/7133.
RDuring the year under review, Konica branched out from its
OEM full-color laser printer business to release a model under
its own brand name, the Konica KL-3015.
RThe Konica 7060 and Konica 7150 were nominated as the
editor’s choice of copiers for 1998 in the U.S. magazine Better
Buys for Business, illustrating the wide appeal of these systems.
REnhancing its lineup of digital copier/printers will be the main
focus of Konica’s activities in this product category in fiscal 2000.
The Company will work to improve productivity at manufacturing
subsidiaries in its global network to reduce production costs
and ensure the timely supply of products to customers in all
regions.
Cameras and Optical Products
The Company’s popular Konica Revio APS camera contin-
ued to sell well during fiscal 1999, with its sleek design and
convenient functions finding popularity among people in a
broad age bracket. Sales of the Konica Z-up 140LX and the
Konica Z-up 110EX, which has a 3X zoom lens, were strong
in Europe and the United States.
RSales of heavy-duty cameras in the Konica Genba Kantoku
series rose steadily in Japan during the year under review, with
a new digital still model contributing to this growth. The Konica
Q-M100V, which has a resolution of more than one million pixels,
performed well in the market for megapixel digital still cameras.
Konica released a model with more than two million pixels,
the Konica Q-M200, in June 1999.
RDemand from optical disk drive and audio equipment makers
for aspherical plastic pick-up lenses increased during the fiscal
year. Konica continued to enjoy a steady increase in shipments
of pick-up lenses. The Company will maintain its policy of
aggressive R&D to develop revolutionary products that meet
customer expectations.
335
327
357
354
337
’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99
Photographic
Materials
(Billions of Yen)
183
178
221
230
248
’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99
Business
Machines
(Billions of Yen)