Tokyo (January 30, 2015) -- Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta) is pleased to announce that it was ranked first place in the overall manufacturing sector at the 18th Environmental Management Survey conducted by Nikkei Inc.
The annual survey assesses environmental management of Japanese companies and recognizes initiatives toward sustainability in terms of both environment and business management. 1,729 manufacturers were invited to the survey and 419 companies responded.
Konica Minolta has been developing comprehensive environmental initiatives, including environmental management policies that combine reduction of environmental impact and growth in corporate value, plans to increase annual sales ratio of environmentally considerate products (Green Products) and sustainable plastic made with recycled PET and polycarbonate materials for outer casing of multi-functional peripherals (MFPs) for the first time in the industry. In addition, Konica Minolta has been willing to utilize its own environmental know-how beyond the Konica Minolta group for the good of broader society including its customers and suppliers by assisting their environmental activities to lower environmental impact.
At Konica Minolta, energy-saving and resource-saving initiatives are very important not only for reducing carbon emissions but also for enhancing its competitive edges such as cutting down production costs and material use. Environmental activities have been strongly driven throughout the company's sites around the world. Since last year, the Konica Minolta Group has been transplanting environmental good practices from its own factories to its suppliers' factories in China so that the suppliers will benefit in reducing environmental impact and strengthening their competitive advantages. Experts from Konica Minolta are working with the suppliers at their factories and helping them analyze energy use and build energy-saving programs.
Konica Minolta's Environmental Management
Based on its long-term environmental vision "Eco Vision 2050," Konica Minolta has established the Group's Medium-Term Environmental Plan 2016 with the target year of fiscal 2016. At the pillar of the medium-term plan are Three Green Activities: Green Products (planning and development); Green Factories (procurement and production); and Green Marketing (distribution, sales & service, and collection & recycling). These activities cover the entire and each process of the Group's businesses and have been running globally. Through these efforts, Konica Minolta is enhancing its strong corporate basis as a company to create values for society and itself, by helping society solve problems while growing its businesses and increasing its competitive capabilities.
Under the brand proposition "Giving Shape to Ideas," Konica Minolta will continue offering products and services that are superior in environmental performance out of its bold ideas and innovative technologies and contributing to reduction of environmental impact in global supply chains and worldwide community.