News Release for Archive 2007

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc.
Date Posted: 18 December 2007

Konica Minolta bizhub MFPs Receive Three BLI Pick of the Year Awards

BLI Chooses bizhub C451, bizhub C550, bizhub C650 for Outstanding Colour, Reliability, Quality, Productivity

Ramsey, N.J. and Hackensack, N.J - December 18, 2007 -- Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced that Buyers Laboratory, Inc. (BLI) has recognized three of its next-generation bizhub Multifunctional Products (MFPs - print, copy, fax, and scan all in one) as "Picks of the Year" in the category of Outstanding Segment 4 Business Colour MFPs. BLI's semi-annual "Pick" awards acknowledge the very best performers in its unique battery of tests which evaluate a wide range of the most important performance factors for buyers, including reliability, image quality, productivity, ease of use and a host of connectivity attributes.

The three Konica Minolta bizhub™ MFPs that received the "Pick" awards were the first in a revolutionary new line of network-enabled MFPs designed to offer significant quality and performance enhancements when replacing colour MFPs. The next-generation of bizhub MFPs also provides innovative security features and allows IT administrators to painlessly administer Digital MFPs on their networks while increasing workflow capabilities in the office.

"Konica Minolta has certainly done its homework in developing this new engine," said Pete Emory, manager of laboratory testing at BLI. "Print quality is one thing, but to have copy quality that rivals it is outstanding. From multi-tasking to scanning, to their competitive to aggressive prices, these three units are dependable MFPs for business colour customers, general office use and colour environments."

With fast colour and cost-effective black and white output, the bizhub C650 provides all-in-one functionality for high-end office workgroups and applications that require 50 pages per minute (ppm) colour and 65 ppm black and white document production. All incorporate advanced Konica Minolta technologies and new innovative features that deliver better image quality, reliability and enhanced productivity as well as a true, secured networked solution for document workflow management. The bizhub C550, which combines breakthrough styling with fast colour and cost-effective black and white output was the first in the next-generation series, and provides all-in-one functionality (print, copy, scan, fax) for high-end office workgroups and applications that require 45 pages per minute (ppm) colour and 55 ppm black and white document production. Meanwhile, the bizhub C451 is a true colour replacement for monochrome devices and incorporates innovative new features such as the tandem laser print head and improvements that deliver better image quality, reliability and enhanced productivity.

"We at Konica Minolta are honored that BLI recognized all three of the first MFPs released in our next-generation bizhub line," said Kevin Kern, vice president, marketing and product planning, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "This award echoes the same sentiment we're seeing in the marketplace, and it's great validation that our superb colour image quality continues to stand head and shoulders above the competition."

About Buyers Laboratory

For more than 45 years, Buyers Laboratory has been the leading independent office-equipment testing lab and business consumer advocate. In addition to publishing the industry's most comprehensive and accurate test reports on office document imaging devices, each representing months of exhaustive hands-on testing in BLI's US and UK laboratories, the company has been the leading source for extensive databases of specifications and pricing on copiers, printers, fax machines and multifunctional products. The company's databases cover 10,000 products and have a long-standing reputation for being the industry's most trustworthy and complete source for global competitive intelligence. They are available to BLI subscribers online via the company's bliQ competitive information service. This encyclopedic resource also provides quick and easy access to BLI's First Look Reports, Field Test Reports, Lab Test Reports, Solutions Reports, Digital Imaging Review and Business Consumer's Advisor newsletters and OEM library

In addition to the testing of office equipment for its subscribers, Buyers Laboratory provides a vast array of confidential for-hire private testing services that include document imaging device beta and pre-launch testing, performance certification testing, consumables testing (such as toner, ink and photoconductors), software and solutions and print media testing (including virgin and recycled papers).

About Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Canada) Ltd.

Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Canada) Ltd. brings together the strengths of its two founding companies and is dedicated to providing customers with comprehensive solutions for their document imaging, creation, production, and management requirements. KONICA MINOLTA offers companies and organizations the essentials of imaging suited for small-office environments through large production operations with a full line of digital colour and multifunction peripherals, desktop laser printers, plain-paper facsimile machines, print production systems, software and network solutions, and professional services.

An industry leader in business solutions, imaging technology, and multifunction products, KONICA MINOLTA delivers world-class service through its extensive network of direct sales offices and authorized dealers throughout Canada. For more information, please visit www.konicaminolta.ca.

Konica Minolta is a trademark of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. bizhub, PageScope, and Photo ART are trademarks of Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. Simitri is a registered trademark of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.