*NEWS*KONICA/MINOLTA MERGER COMPLETED !

[Anonymous]

	KONICA MINOLTA Merger Complete
On Tuesday, the merger of Konica Corporation and Minolta Co., Ltd., took place in Japan. With the completion of the merger, business operations of both companies are now integrated under a new holding company called Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc., known as Konica Minolta. Fumio Iwai, president of Konica Corporation, will assume the role of president and CEO of Konica Minolta Also yesterday, Konica Minolta announced plans for the creation of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., a company formed by the merger of Konica Business Technologies, U.S.A., Inc. and Minolta Corporation’s Business Product Group. Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. will begin operations effective October 1, 2003. Details of the integration are still being finalized. Below is a synopsis of the details announced Tuesday: **ALL EFFECTIVE AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2003** Yasuo Matsumoto, current president and chairman of Konica Business Technologies U.S.A., Inc., will assume the role of president of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. will be headquartered in Ramsey, NJ and will maintain some still to be determined business operations in Windsor, CT Konica’s current Canadian business equipment operations will be merged with Minolta Business Equipment (Canada), Ltd. and remain a subsidiary of the new U.S. operations Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. will adopt the Konica Minolta corporate logo Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. will adopt the Konica Minolta corporate message, “The essentials of imaging.” ************************* Prepared Statement by Yasuo Matsumoto, president and chairman of the board, Konica Business Technologies, U.S.A., Inc., and newly named president of Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A., Inc. “As one company, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A. Inc. will be a strong leader in the marketplace, able to maximize our R&D resources and minimize production costs. This in turn will enable us to offer more competitive products and better pricing. The integration of these two market leaders is another step in our efforts to provide top-of-the-line digital imaging solutions and professional services. Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. will fully utilize the assets and resources of both companies to deliver inspiring products in the field of digital imaging, and to lead the market in advanced technologies and services. I have accepted the position of president of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. and am looking forward to the excitement, challenges and rewards that go along with creating a market leader. I believe this integration is another positive step in our efforts to provide top-of-the-line digital imaging solutions and professional services to our customers.”

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August 6, 2003 at 11:28 AM