Konica Minolta IJ Technologies Formed

Konica Minolta has announced the establishment of Konica Minolta IJ Technologies, a new company whose business will focus upon printhead components for commercial-use inkjet printers and textile-print systems. The company will be split from Konica Minolta Technology Center, the group's R&D division for core technologies. The new company is expected to begin operations January 5, 2005.

In a press release, the company reported that inkjet-related business is one of the most promising fields, and that the inkjet market is expanding to encompass various industrial uses. Konica printheads are already used in a range of proofing, wide-format, and textile products.

Akiyoshi Ohno, general manager of business development at Konica Technology Center, will become managing director of the new company. Konica Minolta expects the new company to gain sales of more than 10 billion yen ($92.3 million) within 3 years of establishment. (Konica Minolta: www.konicaminolta.com)