Print industry news
Konica Minolta expands its Managed
IT Services in Western Canada
Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Canada) has acquired
Continuity Solutions, a Managed IT Services Provider (MSP)
based in Calgary, Alberta. Over the past several years,
Continuity Solutions, led by founder and CEO Ray Archer, has
built a loyal customer base in Calgary by establishing itself
as a leading IT service provider among SMBs. Heavily focused
on proactive support and a client-first approach, Continuity
Solutions’ culture and business model made it an ideal addition
to Konica Minolta’s established IT Services Division, said the
OEM. Continuity Solutions’ team will be joining Konica
Minolta’s IT Services Division (IT Weapons) that’s been the
recipient of major industry recognition as of late – having
been named to CRN’s MSP 500 list in the Pioneer 250
category earlier last month, as well as being named one of
the top 50 Managed Service Providers in Canada for the
second straight year. To expand the accessibility of its
service offerings nationally, the division also recently launched
8 IT-Service Client Experience Centres across Canada. “This
acquisition represents another step forward in our ongoing
national expansion, as well as deliv-
ering on our promise to our clients to
provide them will excellent support
anywhere in Canada,” said Ted Garner,
IT Weapons President. “Continuity
S olu t ions’ focus on cont inui t y
planning, cloud services and high
availability complements our core
strengths as a nationwide MSP.”
Ted Garner
Freek appointed to Executive Director at the CPISTF
Thirty-five year printing industry veteran Ken Freek has been
appointed as Executive Director of Outreach and Partner
Relations for the Canadian Printing Industries Scholarship
Trust Fund (CPISTF). Freek worked at Webcom (Markham,
Ontario) from 1981 to 1987 as Plant Manager, rejoined the
company as Manager of Digital Printing from 1993 to 2001,
and most recently was Senior Project Manager. Freek joined
Heidelberg Canada in 2001 as a Digital Products Manager
and later became Director of Sales and Service for the OEM’s
Digital Products, Director of
Logistics, Sales Manager of
Heidelberg Direct, and eventually
became Vice President of Product
Management in 2009. Freek
attended Ryerson University in
Toronto where he received his
Bachelor of Technology degree
in Graphic Communications
Management.
Ken Freek
@graphicarts
Mimaki USA opens new Los Angeles Technology Center
Mimaki USA (Suwanee, Georgia), a global OEM of wide-format
inkjet printers and cutters, has opened a new Technology Center
in Gardena, a suburb of Los Angeles, California. The centre
replaces the Torrance, California facility, where Mimaki had been
since February 2004. The celebration featured a ribbon-cutting
and traditional Japanese Kagami Biraki ceremony. Mimaki Engin-
eering Chairman Akira Ikeda, Mimaki USA President Naoya
Kawagoshi and Mayor Albert Robles attended, along with more
than 200 employees and guests. “Our new center will make it
easier for existing and prospective customers in the region to
see our full portfolio of innovative printing solutions in action,”
said Kawagoshi. “Our goal is to continue to support our dealer
network as well as educate and inspire end users so their busi-
nesses continue to thrive.” The new 28,446 square foot centre
houses Mimaki’s entire product portfolio, representing the sign
graphics, textile and apparel, industrial products and 3D markets.
Unique to this location, visitors can experience a new Textile &
Apparel Lab with
dye-sublimation and
direct-to-textile printers
as well as a finishing
room with laminators
and cutters. The centre
will host a variety of
events, including live
solution demonstra- From left are Mimaki’s Regional
Manager Joe Garcia, Engineering
tions, application
Chairman Akira Ikeda, Vice President
open houses, dealer Ken Vanhorn, President Naoya
technician certifica- Kawagoshi, Albert Robles, Mayor of
tion courses, software Carson and the 2018-2019 Miss Teen
training and more.
Carson, Erica Guico.
Three Canadians named to ISA’s 2019 Elite Class
The International Sign Association has named its 2019 ISA
Elite Class – “the next generation of sign, graphics and visual
communications industry leaders.” Now in its fifth year, the class
is the most diverse ever for this highly competitive, one-of-a-kind
program. In all, 37 participants ranged from those who own their
companies, to those who work for the largest manufacturers.
The first meeting of the 2019 ISA Elite will be held at ISA International
Sign Expo 2019 later this month and will meet again at ISA head-
quarters in the fall for the industry’s first-ever leadership training
program. The 2019 ISA Elite Class Canadian members are: Kelso
Brennan, General Manager and President, Hi Signs/Banff Sign
Company of Edmonton, Alberta; Krista Edwards, Project Manager
& Sales Rep, Media Resources International Inc., Oakville, Ontario;
and Nikki Sheridan, Project
Manager at Modern Age
Plastics in Toronto, Ontario.
Congratulations to the
winners. We wish them Kelso
Krista
Nikki
continued success.
Brennan Edwards Sheridan
GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE | April 2019 | 9