Mimaki : bridging wide format and inkjet printing
The consolidation of wide format and
inkjet printing has started taking effect
and Mimaki is eyeing the possibilities to
widen their portfolio and establish themselves
in new markets like industrial and textile
printing. Japan-based Mimaki Engineering Co
Ltd is a leading manufacturer of wide format
inkjet printers, textile printers, 3-dimensional
engraving, CAD/CAM equipment, etc. They
also wish to establish themselves in the inks
and coatings segment.
According to Masaaki Fujita, managing
director & chief general manager, sales and
marketing division, Mimaki, “The industrial
printing segment has high growth potential
due to the increasing number of applications
being carried out by inkjet printing. Similarly,
textile printing applications are also
increasing, especially in countries like China,
France and Italy. As developments and
applications increase, these will be nurturing
further growth and demand for our digital
textile printers.”
As a part of their major expansion plan, Mimaki
has shifted to a new site called “Head Office
and Bokuya Plant”. The old head office now
specializes as the manufacturing division of the
Mimaki devices and is called the “Kazawa
Plant,” where spare parts and inks are also
stored. The R&D division, Management
division, Nagano Sales office and a part of the
Manufacture division have also moved to the
new location. In addition, Mimaki Precision and
Graphics Creation, which are subsidiary
companies, have also moved their head offices
to the new location. The showroom is also
expanded at the new location in order to
exhibit all the products from the start of
printer/plotter business and have a pilot plant
for textile printing including pre/post
treatments of fabrics that is taken care of by
Graphic Creation.
It is estimated that almost 75% of the total sales
of Mimaki belong to their sign and graphics
business, while the rest is from other businesses
– textile and garment (8%), industrial
production (11%) and other activities (6%).
Charting out the success factors of Mimaki,
Fujita said, “Innovation is the key and we have
been the first to launch wide format printing
with pigment inks. We are also recognised as
the first supplier of eco-solvent ink applications
within wide format. Our high quality printers
and other devices are quite popular with our
ever-increasing customer base. The main
reasons for our success include reliability of
our printers, minimum downtime of machines
and our ability to address the problems
of customers in minimum time. Besides, we
respond quickly to market requirements
and changes.”
The Mimaki printers are also well-supported
by softwares from the company. As a part of
their growth strategy, they have an Inkjet Lab
for the development of inks and coating as well
as searching for new applications of inkjet
technology in collaboration with different
industries. “Even though, the company is
new in the chemistry and consumables
section, but Mimaki believes that the
reliability and performance of the printers
depend upon right inks and printheads. Thus,
Mimaki offers seven different kinds of inks
for use with its printers,” told Fujita.
On asking about their future plans,
Fujita replied, “Mimaki has always come up
with something new and this is the theme for
future as well.”
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