• 150 years of Konica MinoltaHeroSlider

150 years of Konica Minolta — and that's just the beginning


How many companies do you know that have existed for 150 years? Not many, right? We, the employees at Konica Minolta, are celebrating this milestone birthday — and are glowing with pride. We work for a company that has been striving to develop new technologies and innovative solutions since 1873 and successfully and sustainably implements these solutions for its customers.

1873 — three years before Alexander Graham Bell filed his patent for the telephone, and six years before Thomas Alva Edison invented the electric light bulb. Our story began when Rokusaburo Sugiura opened a small specialist shop for photographic and lithographic products in Tokyo. Now, 150 years later, more than 40,000 people around the world are working passionately to make Konica Minolta the market leader among technology and managed service providers — by providing the best portfolio and services to help you achieve success.

Our company has continued to change over many generations and through turbulent times, as the world around Konica Minolta has also undergone tremendous changes. Together, we want to continue to be a force for successful change and accompany you on your way to a digital future. In 2023, we have once again set our sights on forging new paths and generating new and sustainable values.

For you, for us — and also for Rokusaburo Sugiura.

Milestones

1873HeroSlider
1873
Rokusaburo Sugiura founds the Konica Corporation
1903HeroSlider
1903
The "Cherry Hand Camera", Japan's first camera brand, is created
1928HeroSlider
1928
Tashima founds Nichi-Doku Shashinki Shoten (later known as Minolta Co.)
1960HeroSlider
1960
The company's first copier, the "Minolta Copymaster", is completed
1962HeroSlider
1962
The first images of the Earth are taken from space using a Minolta Hi-Matic (during John Glenn's "Friendship 7" spaceflight)
1992HeroSlider
1992
First company in the world to be awarded the Blue Angel mark in the field of copying


2002HeroSlider
2002
Development of Simitri — the world's first polymerised toner with biomass, which reduces CO2 and NOx emissions by up to 40% in addition to ensuring cost-effective production.
2003HeroSlider
2003
Konica and Minolta merge to form Konica Minolta
2004HeroSlider
2004
The company enters the production printing segment with the Konica Minolta bizhub Pro 1050


2007HeroSlider
2007
The end of the company's presence in the photography and camera market
2014HeroSlider
2014
Opening of the first Business Innovation Centre (BIC) in London
2016HeroSlider
2016
Introduction of the B2+ UV inkjet printing system AccurioJet KM-1
2020HeroSlider
2020
IDC names Konica Minolta a worldwide leader for print transformation
2022HeroSlider
2022
For the second time in a row, Konica Minolta is named the best managed service provider and leading system house in Germany
Facts, figures and dates

What is Konica Minolta's market share? What environmental measures is the company pursuing? Find out more in our facts and figures.

Facts, figures and dates
RETHINK WORK: THE update for YOUR business

News and trends relating to digitalisation, IT and the digital office

RETHINK WORK: THE update for YOUR business