Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta was formed by a merger between Japanese imaging firms Konica and Minolta, announced on January 7, 2003 with the Corporate Structure completing the re-organization in October 2003. Different group companies, such as the operations in the headquarters and national operating companies began the process around the same time, however the exact dates vary for each group company.

Konica Minolta uses a "Globe Mark" logo that is similar, however not identical to the logo of the former Minolta company. It also uses the same corporate slogan as the former Minolta company - "The Essentials of Imaging".

On January 19, 2006 the company announced that it was quitting the camera business due to high financial losses. SLR camera service operations were handed over to Sony starting on March 31, 2006 and Sony has continued development of cameras that are compatible with Minolta autofocus lenses. Originally, in the negotiations, Konica Minolta wanted a cooperation with Sony in camera equipment production rather than a sell-out deal, but Sony vehemently refused saying that it would either acquire everything or leave everything that has to do with the camera equipment sector of KM. Subsequently, Konica Minolta withdrew from the photo business on September 30, 2006. 3,700 employees were laid off.

Konica Minolta closed down their photo imaging division in March 2007. The color film, color paper, photo chemical and digital mini-lab machine divisions have ceased operations. Dai Nippon Printing purchased Konica's Odawara factory, with plans to continue to produce paper under Dai Nippon's brand. Seapac acquired the Konica chemical factory.

Konica expanded its business precensce and now even extends its business as far as South Africa. The South African Konica Minolta Business Systems unit is a fully owned subsidiary of the Bidvest group and headed up by Alan Griffiths.