ST. CLOUD, MINN., OCTOBER 7, 2019 - Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A. Inc. has partnered with Marco to provide the University of Wisconsin-Stout with an in-kind gift of the use of an AccurioPress C2070 digital press, a 70 page per minute, dry-toner press that will allow students hands on access to best in class equipment in their field of study. The gift also includes installation, training and ongoing support provided by Marco. The total gift is valued at $70,000.

Konica Minolta provided the gift as part of its Production Print Future Industry Employee Program. The program loans equipment to colleges and universities that have a Technical Association of the Graphic Art (TAGA) student chapter and a strong Graphics Communication program.

Dawn Nye, manager of solutions and services marketing for Konica Minolta, oversees the company’s Production Print Future Industry Employee Program. “The graphic arts industry is going through a shortage of a skilled workforce, and this program is designed to help graphic communication educational programs teach with the latest digital presses to produce future employees,” Nye said.

The AccurioPress C2070 offers high-speed, advanced color printing that supports paper weights up to 350 gsm and banner printing up to 1,200 mm. Its real-time image density and color density control sensors, feeding unit with vacuum feed and air separation to help ensure the print integrity of thick or coated paper, and professional in-line finishing rival offset printers at a fraction of the cost.

“Konica Minolta is proud to support the University of Wisconsin-Stout by providing their academic department with this digital printing technology,” said Dino Pagliarello, vice president of product management and planning. "The AccurioPress C2070 will allow graphic communication students to gain real-world experience by learning the tools of the trade. Combined with traditional academic theory, we hope the press will expand students’ experience and have a significant impact on their learning outcomes.” 

As part of the in-kind gift, Marco will provide installation, training and ongoing support for the digital press. Marco worked with UW-Stout prior to the gift providing copiers and printers to the university.

Kevin Schmidt, Regional Sales Director for copier and printers in Wisconsin and Illinois, says the gift is especially gratifying because it draws on Marco’s long-time partnership with Konica Minolta for the good of the students and the community.

“We’re excited for UW-Stout students to have the experience of learning on Konica’s high-quality digital printing equipment. As a long-time Konica Minolta partner, we share their vision of moving UW-Stout’s graphic communications department forward with printing technology and support that will help these students—and their communities—grow.”