OASYS - Autorized Konica Minolta Dealer

The Expanding Ramifications of an Encounter with Light
Minolta was established in 1928 by Kazuo Tashima, who had learned about the amazing potential of optical equipment and became enchanted with cameras, which were rare in Japan at that time. Minolta's first camera, the Nifcalette, was developed the following year. In 1958, Minolta became the first company in Japan to produce a planetarium, and in 1960 the production of business equipment was initiated with the development of a copier. Subsequently, beginning with exposure meters for photography, we have extended the scope of our operations to include a diverse range of radiometric instruments. Accurately appraising the needs of a given era and taking up technological challenges to enrich society-an approach that Minolta has maintained since its establishment- are traditions that have helped sustain the Company's rapid growth.

Good Corporate Citizenship in a Global Society
In accordance with Minolta's dream of having people throughout the world enjoy Minolta products, they sent a representative, Sam Kusumoto, to the United States in 1954 and established a local marketing company here in 1959. Minolta set up its first European marketing company in 1965 and has subsequently continued to place subsidiaries, affiliates, and agencies throughout the world which have led to the widespread recognition and enjoyment of the Company's products.

After establishing a factory in Malaysia in 1974, Minolta went on to create manufacturing facilities in the United States, France, and China. These activities reflect the Company's objective of expanding by putting down deep roots in overseas markets and helping contribute to local development. They intend to maintain the approach to globalization.

Another aspect of good corporate citizenship is addressing such important issues as the protection of the environment. Minolta has introduced comprehensive environmental protection measures. The Company designs products with due consideration to minimizing negative environmental impact, operates manufacturing systems that generate minimal levels of waste products and include provisions for waste treatment, and has expanded the capabilities of its distribution and marketing systems to include such functions as packaging recovery and materials recycling.

Growing on the Basis of Unique Strengths
Beginning with optical technologies, Minolta has gone on to marshal distinctive R&D strengths and a wide array of sophisticated technologies in such areas as optic, sensing, mechatronics, and imaging. These advanced technologies have proved to be a principal corporate strength, one that has propelled the expansion of business in image information products, optical products, and radiometric instruments, which are today the Company's principal business areas. Our technological know-how has enabled us to create numerous conspicuously innovative and successful products.

In 1962, a Minolta Hi-Matic camera was chosen for use on the Friendship 7-the first manned U.S. spacecraft to orbit the earth. Furthermore, the Minolta Space Meter, a light meter designed to meet extremely rigorous specifications, was used aboard the Apollo 8 spacecraft in 1968, thereby enabling the first accurate measurement of light in outer space.

Minolta developed the EP 310 plain-paper copier (PPC) in 1979, using its epochal Micro-Toning System technology. In 1983, the Company launched the EP 450Z, the world's first PPC with zoom magnification and reduction functions. In 1985, the marketing of the Minolta 7000 camera ushered in the era of auto focus (AF) single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, spurring great changes in the SLR market. In recent years, they have maintained the tradition of pioneering new copying technologies, introducing such products as the BC 3000, which easily and dependably handles the reproduction of bound materials using image correction technologies. As one of the world's leading companies in the field of photography, Minolta was an active participant in the development of the Advanced Photo System, which has set new international standards for photographic systems.

Also attesting to the superior R&D capabilities of Minolta are its new color copiers with revolutionary Laser Intensity Modulation System (LIMOS), a digital image processing system, as well as other digital products. Minolta's technological advances in this area have been highly praised, and the Company is continually building on its expertise, currently planning a variety of systems suitable for the emerging era of multimedia.

Aiming to realize the potential social benefits of new concepts, Minolta is remaining constantly on the leading edge of technological progress by utilizing its broad range of accumulated know-how to take up the challenge of creating truly innovative products.