When Konica and Minolta came together, they each brought a proud history to the merger along with individual legacies spanning close to 150 years. For most of that time they had been branded as experts in the film and camera industry before expanding into the broader niche of color sensing and optics.
Once they moved beyond the limitations of camera technology, it was a natural evolution for them to focus on imaging and then expand into printing and scanning as they penetrated the corporate world with a wider array of services.
While they remained in the camera business prior to selling that portion to Sony in 2006, they were already quickly positioning the company to move into the world of digital technology. As Rick Taylor noted, “innovation is measured not only by what you invest in, but also by what initiatives you do NOT invest in.” Stepping back from decades of commitment as leaders in the camera space, in order to embark on a path that would transform them into a merged company pioneering in digital technology, was a pivotal time for Konica Minolta. The decision was bold and risky, but consistent with the company’s long-held culture of confident innovation.
Growing and evolving as a merged company
Companies grow in many different ways, but Konica Minolta has been most successful by being positioned and prepared for change throughout its long combined history. Starting with cameras and photography, Konica Minolta successfully transitioned to imaging and from there to copying and printing. But today the print market is shrinking as users read documents and messages on screens (tablets, smart phones, or laptops), deleting more while printing less. Click here to learn more.
If you would like to know more about Konica Minolta’s success or Rick Taylor’s leadership, come learn more about how and why they are being recognized as ACG NJ’s Corporate Lifetime Achievement Award honoree.
