Claims by Konica Minolta SA that it is the "brand custodian" and principal distributor with exclusive rights to the Konica Minolta's bizhub range of multifunctional products are "patently misleading", says Itec CEO Jacque Duyver.
"There are several other distributors of the company's products in SA," he says.
Itec recently concluded a deal with Konica Minolta Japan to rebadge its range of multifunctional printing equipment.
However, Konica Minolta SA has refuted allegations that it is misleading the public.
"We are contracted by Konica Minolta Japan at its insistence to exclusively sell Konica Minolta products and the bizhub, as well as to grow these brands in SA. Thus we are the sole custodian of the brand, as well as the principal distributor," says Alan Griffith, MD of Konika Minolta SA.
Disadvantage?
Duyver says it has become "a strategic disadvantage" to trade under a product name if you do not own the brand. "The two largest and fastest growing office automation companies in SA rebadge their product ranges."
However, Griffith says selling the original product does not put Konica Minolta SA at a disadvantage. "We don't own the brand, but we have exclusive rights to the name. It's far better to trade under the original name."
Itec was formerly the distributor of Konica products in SA before the integration of Konica and Minolta three years ago. It moved away from trading under a product name to its own name in 2004.
According to Duyver, the move has seen the company turn over R1 billion annually.
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