Komori is set to unveil its flagship GLX-740A: a 7-color 40” sheetfed offset printing press featuring a double coater. Satoshi Mochida, President and CEO of Komori Corporation, expressed excitement in revealing the advancement of the Lithrone GX/G advance EX, slated for its debut at drupa 2024.
Komori Corporation will showcase diverse printing solutions, including enhanced operator interfaces and workflows for peak efficiency, alongside a focus on Connected Automation with KP-Connect for Autopilot control.
Additionally, they will highlight their commitment to ecological sustainability, debut energy-efficient presses like the the new GL/GLX-40 EX generation, provide KOMORI-Kare customer support, and invite you to explore inspiring print displays at their booth, offering a glimpse into the future of printing.
Join Ben Daniel as he converses with Ulrich Sause, the Chief Commercial Officer, and Moez Jebali, the Regional Sales Director, revealing the rich century-long legacy of Komori. Exploring the Komori Graphic Centre offers valuable insight into the precision of Komori’s state-of-the-art offset presses ready to impress at drupa 2024.
Together, they shed light on Komori’s future trajectory, emphasizing essential pillars of efficiency, sustainability, automation, and reliability. Step into this enlightening interview where the fusion of tradition and innovation provides a glimpse into the dynamic evolution of printing excellence.
INTERVIEW
Ben: Gentlemen, please briefly introduce yourselves and outline your roles at Komori.
Ulrich Sause: Thank you for the opportunity to present Komori and our technologies. I serve as the Chief Commercial Officer for Komori International Europe. UK, Italy, and France are direct sales with local subsidiaries while the rest of EMEA region is served through distributors managed by Komori regional sales directors.
I oversee our sales strategy for Europe and collaborate closely with regional sales directors, such as Moez Jebali, who focuses on the MEA region. My primary objective is to raise awareness in the print-packaging industry about Komori’s unique advantages. Despite being relatively young and smaller in size compared to competitors, we offer cutting-edge technology tailored to specific market needs.
Our goal is to foster strong customer relationships by listening to their requirements and offering the most suitable solutions. Our theme “dare to be different,” prioritizes customer satisfaction above all else.
Ben: Alright, Moez, could you provide a brief overview of your responsibilities in the MEA region?
Moez Jebali: Certainly! I’ve been with Komori for 15 months now, serving under Komori International Europe, which oversees our European operations.
My responsibility lies in managing the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey—the latter being our largest market with a strong historical and market presence. My mission is clear: to bolster Komori’s brand and business across this expansive region, with a primary focus on the Middle East and North Africa. While Komori enjoys a solid foothold in Turkey and has seen promising growth in North Africa, there’s ample room for further expansion.
This entails providing ongoing support to our distributors, enhancing our presence, and fostering stronger connections between Komori and our valued clients in the printing industry.
Ben: Certainly! Ulrich, with Komori’s expertise in commercial offset printing and growing presence in packaging, how vital is the packaging-print sector for Komori, particularly given its global momentum and importance in the MEA region? And what strategies does Komori have in place to capitalize on opportunities in this fast-evolving Print-for-Packaging market?
Ulrich: At Komori, our strength in commercial print stems from our diverse range of technologies, including perfecting presses and innovative solutions like our HUV curing system.
Our motto, “Dare to be Different,” drives us to tailor our offerings to meet specific needs. In the packaging sector, there’s a growing demand for vibrant, detailed prints, driving the need for advanced printing capabilities. Komori meets this demand with specialized technologies like Reverse Printing (RP) for rigid cardboard, overcoming challenges and ensuring quality. While our process in packaging may be lesser known due to our size, we excel in providing solutions tailored to the industry’s needs.
Just to quote an example, now here at the Komori Open House 2024, a prominent packaging printer recognized our strengths, particularly our unmatched dampening solution and alcohol-free printing, aligning perfectly with industry demands. We may not have the same footprint as larger competitors, but we offer comprehensive solutions for every packaging-Print requirement.
Ben: What is Komori’s commitment to luxury packaging? Any plans to enhance offerings in this market? How does Komori ensure quality for brand owners’ exacting standards?
Ulrich: Absolutely. To achieve high quality, a sharp dot is crucial, and printing without alcohol facilitates this. Our machines are optimized for sharp dots and minimal dot gain. When it comes to packaging, our focus extends to food-safe print production, offering flexibility and quality.
Deluxe packaging demands glossy and matte effects, as well as cold foil embellishments. Recently one of our customers added a press dedicated to deluxe packaging printing in addition to his “standard” Komori packaging press. The configuration of the new press does not only allows for UV printing with rich solids, special colours and high gloss inline UV coating but also offers the possibility to apply precise matte gloss effects using a print unit after the coater. A fully finished sheet with unmatched quality in one pass. This solution meets the demands of deluxe packaging, aligning with market expectations.
Ben: Could you outline Komori’s sustainability goals briefly? How does Komori embody sustainable practices as a printing machine manufacturer?
Ulrich: Certainly! Sustainability is ingrained in our operations, from 100% recycling technology in our factories to renewable energy usage. Our focus extends to reducing waste during machine shipment, ensuring pre-testing for quick installation.
However, the crux lies in our press design and make-ready concept, aiming to reduce energy consumption by up to 30%. Our latest generation, showcased at drupa, already demonstrates significant power reduction compared to previous models.
We prioritize efficient use of raw materials, employing self-learning technology for pre-inking to minimize waste and optimize production readiness.
Unlike traditional methods, we utilize spectrophotometric measurement and precise ink control to minimize paper and ink usage during make-ready, promoting sustainability and cost-effectiveness, particularly in the packaging industry.
Ben: Moez, can you outline Komori’s strategy in the Middle East and Africa? Based on your experience with regional stakeholders, what challenges and opportunities arise? What message do you have for current and potential customers?
Moez: Our strategy in the Middle East and Africa has two key pillars. Firstly, we aim to strengthen Komori’s presence and reputation in markets where historically we had limited focus and sales, alongside further developing existing markets.
Secondly, we’re focused on consolidating our position in the rapidly growing packaging segment, which presents significant opportunities in our region.
While commercial printing remains active in some areas, the focus has shifted towards packaging due to economic growth and increased consumption. Komori’s products are well-suited for these markets, offering reliability, quality, and sharpness.
Our challenge now lies in marketing our products effectively, increasing brand awareness, and supporting our distribution channels to expand our presence and drive business growth in the region.
Ulrich: Having Moez Jebali onboard is crucial for Komori’s expansion in the MEA. While our distributors serve as effective ambassadors, Moez brings valuable expertise and connections in the packaging market, supported by both our European headquarters and Japan. His appointment as Sales Director for the region signifies our commitment to growth and better customer support. We’re still in the early stages of this endeavour, but we’re optimistic about the opportunities ahead.
Ben: What distinguishes Komori from its competitors? What makes you stand out, particularly for Middle Eastern and African packaging or folding carton printers considering investment?
Ulrich: We meet all requirements, regardless of being a Japanese manufacturer. Cost of ownership is paramount. Unlike some competitors, our customers often don’t require maintenance contracts, offering the potential for higher profits. Our stability and profitability, evident in our strong balance sheet, distinguish us.
Komori’s printers are profitable, not just high-volume ones. We offer unique solutions like reverse printing, providing a competitive edge in a shrinking market. Different production technologies set us apart, allowing for differentiation and increased leverage.
Ben: As we wrap up, what attracts Packaging MEA readers and regional printers-converters attending drupa 2024 to the Komori stand?
Ulrich: Packaging MEA readers and regional printers-converters at drupa 2024 should visit the Komori stand to witness our groundbreaking solution, Smart Color. It tackles the challenge of reproducing multiple Pantone or spot colors reliably with minimal Delta*e.
Unique to Komori, Smart Color offers diverse applications including food-safe inks and luxury finishes. Additionally, our LED inks provide unparalleled capabilities, while our super short make-ready ensures swift changeovers ideal for packaging printers.
Experience Autopilot production for 100% quality inspection and seamless connectivity through KP Connect. Join us in the world of Connected Automation and count on Komori for innovative solutions.
Komori’s latest innovations, including Smart Colour and Extended Gamut printing, represent a paradigm shift in the industry, offering unmatched quality and efficiency.