Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Canada) Ltd.

Through the ups and downs of global recession, imaging and printing giant Konica Minolta came through with flying colours. It just took a little work. “We are very proud to have weathered the economic downturn and faired quite well,” says John Bent, general manager of the Atlantic office in Dartmouth. All areas of the global company including Bent’s branch of Konica Minolta has invested time on refocusing its business approach. 

 “We’ve changed our sales structure from being geographical infrastructure where you walk up and down the street,” says John. Instead of relying on customers who walk in off the street to buy a printer and never return, the focus now is on making sure companies return to Konica Minolta again and again. “Our goal today is to have clients for life. And to do that, you have to provide an exceptional client experience,” John says. 

 “The response has been fantastic and opportunities have really opened up. Four years ago we built a mission statement based on improved business practices, operating at the highest customer service standard, and increasing customer loyalty.  This successful business is a direct result of putting that mission into action.”

Similarly to having clients for life, John also says many Konica Minolta employees are there long-term as well.  “We have little turnover. We have great tenure in our employees,” he says. “A lot of people have been around for years.  Many having started with dealers and then stayed on with us -  they are tremendous resources and their contribution has been invaluable over the years. If you look at our operation here, it’s about inclusion, about respect for one another.”

This is a company value, John says, but he feels the Dartmouth branch works especially hard to promote it.  “ I think it’s everything from workplace respect to getting people involved.  Rather than shelter people, we get them involved in decisions.”

The company also places a great deal of importance on environmental and social responsibility and has been a supporter of a number of important environmental and health-related causes both locally and around the world.  Their participation in initiatives to roll-out support world-wide for breast cancer screening has been an important focus of Konica Minolta’s group of medical imaging technologies.  Konica Minolta was also major sponsor of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, and has worked hard to make all of its products recyclable.  “Even our toner is environmentally friendly,” John says. “It’s not a carbon-based toner anymore.” 

Konica Minolta has built its presence in the Atlantic region over time. What began 18 years ago in New Brunswick, has continued through the acquisition of six different dealers in Nova Scotia and ten other locations throughout Atlantic Canada. The Halifax office, the largest dealer acquired by Minolta, was acquired in 1998, and eventually took over as regional head office from St. John. The merger in 2003 of Konica Corporation and Minolta Co. Ltd added to the amalgamation process.

John is originally from New Brunswick, and he followed Konica Minolta to Halifax five years ago. “I love Nova Scotia,” he says. “I live in Fall River, which is a fantastic community and a great place to raise children. It’s a very safe area and I just love the feeling of Halifax – it’s a big city, but also a small city. You have options to do what you want, when you want. So if you want to see a play or go to a show it’s all here.”

This is the second time John has worked with Konica Minolta in Atlantic Canada, and he enjoys the feel of the office.  “I think we have a lot of East Coast pride,” he says. “Perhaps more than any other branch in the country we’re involved in our surrounding community. We actively support the local universities, community colleges, non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity, and local events such as the East Coast Music Awards and the Brier Cup. We are all very proud of our community involvement and eager for any chance to give back.”