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TECH NEWS

The B2 digital press market

Is B2 digital killing B2 off- the Pro Z75 ‘Dragon’, a B2 A4.
set press sales? When the inkjet press, as a step up However, late last year
first B2 format digital from its SRA3 toner range. Fujifilm also announced
presses were announced at “We internally discussed B1 what may turn out to be one
Drupa 2008 and 2012, their vs B2 vs B3 and decided B2 of the most interesting digi-
makers predicted that they was the best opportunity,” tal newcomers at Drupa, the
would be bought to comple- says Busselot. First revealed first sheetfed B2 toner press,
ment B2 offset litho presses, in 2019 but only officially called Revoria GC12500.
so that they shared use of launched late last year, the Although Xeikon introduced
existing finishing lines. Pro Z75 is a CMYK aqueous 500mm-plus B2-portrait
That’s been true up to a inkjet press with a top speed web toner presses in 1997,
point, although B2 litho of 4,500sph. Unlike the rival only Fujifilm has managed a
presses are no longer the big Modular design can incorporate litho and flexo units inline in this Fujifilm Jet Press 7xx series 750mm landscape configu-
sellers they once were, it can automatically duplex
squeezed from below by new 970 will be announced says: “Most B2 digital sales and it has copier-style multi- ration so far, with a 660mm
SRA3 and now B2 digital, at Drupa). Compared with are seen as a vehicle to move ple feed trays. length for 6-up A4s. The
while the pressmakers have B1, he says, the RMGT SRA1 from offset to digital. It’s Fujifilm, whose 2008 GC12500 will print
compelling arguments to is more compact and uses now happening faster than announcement of the Jet 2,500sph CMYK on normal
move to larger formats for less electricity. “We find we expected”. On the other Press 720 was the first B2 offset and copier stocks, with
more efficiency. For that 86% of B1 printers only hand he says, a price war in sheetfed inkjet, has been none of the inkjet issues
instance Murray Lock, joint need SRA1,” he says. “We do B1 offset sales has led to steadily refining the design about drying or special
MD at RMGT importer M still sell B2 too, but it’s a overcapacity, which he over the years. The 2018 papers.
Partners, says that the more difficult sell compared thinks may explain the rela- 750S was faster (3,600sph) Fujifilm Europe’s product
RMGT 920, an SRA1-format with SRA1.” tive failure of B1 digital to thanks to a new IR drier, manager for digital press sys-
litho press, has captured a Erwin Busselot, business capture much of a market so while the 2022 750HS intro- tems, Mark Stephenson,
lot of what would previously innovations and solutions far. duced a slightly larger sheet points out that it has twin
have been B2 litho sales (a director at Ricoh Europe, Ricoh has now introduced size (750x662mm) for 6-up feed trays online.

Finishing equipment that goes above and beyond

Konica Minolta, Inc. growth and outlining his ment: the economic
President and CEO, expectations for Konica recovery in China and
Toshimitsu Taiko, recently Minolta’s participation in Europe; cooling global infla-
visited the company’s the upcoming Gulf Print & tion and interest rates that
Middle East office in Dubai Pack (GPP) 2025 in the could stimulate capital
as part of his global tour of
Konica Minolta affiliates. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. investment appetite and
This visit underscores his Taiko’s visit to Dubai reaf- inflow of funds into the
commitment to direct com- firms Konica Minolta’s stock market; and potential
munication with regional strong commitment to the impact on the economy and
teams and highlights the Middle East and its vision for businesses depending on
strategic importance of the sustained growth and col- whether or not the leader-
Middle East market in Duplo has been an active supporter of B2 digital sheet finishing laboration in the region. He ship changes in key coun-
Konica Minolta’s global departed Dubai on August tries, among others. We
operations. During his visit, from the ground, which will partnerships, production 28, 2024, to continue his intend to further enhance
he engaged directly with inform his strategic deci- shifts to “Made in Japan,” tour of Konica Minolta’s our sensitivity to business
employees, reinforcing his sions at the global level. and broader business initia-
management philosophy The visit also provided an tives. He emphasized the operations in other coun- opportunities and risks in
that values open dialogue opportunity for Taiko to importance of the Middle tries within the region. the global changes and work
and the exchange of market articulate Konica Minolta’s “2024 will face significant to improve our profitabil-
insights. The aim was to strategic direction in key East market, expressing con- changes in the global finan- ity,” the CEO had said in his
gather valuable feedback areas, including business fidence in its potential for cial and business environ- New Year Message.

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