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Press release

Unifying design and functionality for a smarter office

Konica Minolta’s bizhub C554e series and bizhub C3850 series win Red Dot Award 2014

Langenhagen/Germany, April 28, 2014

Konica Minolta Business Solutions convinced the 40-member expert panel of the Red Dot Award of its bizhub C554e series and bizhub C3850 series high design quality. The submitted products, five models of the bizhub series A3 color-multifunctional peripherals and two models of the bizhub series A4 color MFPs were evaluated according to the highest standards including the degree of innovation, functionality, formal quality, ergonomics, durability, symbolic and emotional content, product periphery, self-explanatory quality and ecological compatibility. The Konica Minolta bizhub C554e series and bizhub C3850 series outperformed the other entries in product design for the category “Computer and Information Technology” and received the coveted Red Dot quality seal as its deserved reward. “Form follows function – that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union,” said Frank Lloyd Wright. Making this quote its motto, Konica Minolta unites design and functionality and brings it into today´s offices. The number one in the colour segment (A3+A4) in Europe in office printing1 proves once again that excellence in business services can apply to both dimensions – quality and style. Having won last year’s iF design award for the bizhub C554e series is another proof to this quest of Konica Minolta.

Besides design features, environmental aspects have also been considered in the awarded products. Both series are characterised by green technology for reduced power consumption and less environmental impact, leading to a more ecological footprint and reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO). For example, the C554e series systems are able to scan without engine warm-up and, therefore, use less energy. Features like the dynamic eco timer in the C554e series, which analyses working conditions and automatically adjusts sleep mode and ready timings, further contribute to outstanding ecological performance. Another power-saver for both serieses is Konica Minolta’s next generation of Simitri HD polymerised toner

1 infoSource Q3 2013/ Copier/MFPs / Eastern and Western Europe aggregated Col 1-Col 5 / Office

segment by manufacturer

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implemented in the new bizhub systems. Additionally, based on the principle “know one – operate all”, all MFPs of the bizhub C554e and C3850 series use the same graphical user interface. The smart MyTab feature allows individual printer driver customization. This additional flexibility is available to customize the printing process. Enhancing user comfort and productivity, the systems also inherit Konica Minolta’s compact and functional 360-degree universal design as part of its brand DNA.

The two winning Konica Minolta bizhub system serieses are:

- bizhub C554e/ C454e/ C364e / C284e / C224e - bizhub C3850 / C3350

About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, based in Langenhagen, Germany, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan, forming part of its Business Technologies business area. As a leading global service provider in the field of IT- and document processes as well as digital production printing solutions the company excels in service-led business consulting, implementation and management and provides a range of world-leading printing systems and solutions. In this context, Konica Minolta’s Optimized Print Services concept (OPS) combines consultancy, hardware, software implementation, and operation in order to enhance business process efficiency and cost-effectiveness. To support customers optimally with powerful and sustainable solutions, technology leader Konica Minolta continuously invests in research and development work and regularly sets new standards. Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe is represented by subsidiaries and distributors in more than 70 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). With over 32,300 employees around the world (as of December 2013), Konica Minolta’s Business Technologies business area earned net sales of over EUR 5.4 billion in financial year 2012/13. For further information about the company, visit www.konicaminolta.eu. Product images are available at www.konicaminolta-images.eu. Terms and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.

Contact Konica Minolta

Silke Zühlke Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH Phone: +49 (0)511 7404-5604 silke.zuehlke@konicaminolta.eu