Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. (Konica Minolta) has announced it has extended its partnership with the Plockmatic Group to launch the SD-435/450 booklet maker. This brings a cost-efficient solution for heavy production finishing to low and mid-sized centralized reprographic departments (CRD) and commercial print environments.

Plockmatic Group's inline platform introduces architecture that enables new features for the first time in the low- to mid-volume market segments across Konica Minolta's AccurioPress mono and color production machines. The inline versions of the SD-435/450 will be exclusively sold by Konica Minolta throughout 2022.

The new system architecture enables customers to produce high-quality booklets including 8.5-by-11-inch landscape and has all the key processes needed to produce corner and edge staple, folding, spine forming and full-bleed trimming, all combined in one single, easy-to-use system.

Other options include:

• RCT 3.0 Rotate Crease Trimmer that enables professional looking, full bleed trimmed and creased booklets now on sheets up to 24" long. Konica Minolta's TU-510 innovative four-edge trimmer and creaser can be used as an alternative to the RCT 3.0 module.
• A finishing module FM-400 that includes a new design, face trimmer and square folding mechanism in a single unit. It is based on the successful trimmer and book fold modules from SD-500/350.
• High-capacity BST4000 book stacker for more production-oriented sites allowing long unattended runs. It can be configured straight after the SD-435/450 or at a 90-degree angle.

Since the first partnership agreement between the two companies in 2016, Konica Minolta has successfully launched the Plockmatic SD-500, Plockmatic PowerSquare 160 and PowerSquare 224 booklet makers with the Plockmatic SD-435/450 Series.

"Konica Minolta's continued alliance with the Plockmatic Group enhances and further differentiates the offering of inline and offline options across Konica Minolta's AccurioPress color and mono production machines," said Dino Pagliarello, senior vice president of product management and planning, Konica Minolta. "This latest extension of our partnership ensures all finishing needs of CRDs and commercial printers are now being met — and Konica Minolta's finishing portfolio is complete."

"We are delighted to be extending our successful partnership with Konica Minolta with an exclusive agreement that benefits both companies," said Johan Mikaelsson, vice president of business unit inline & group technical support, Plockmatic. "Customers recognize that the finishing of any document has never been more important. The SD-435/450 Series use the latest patented Plockmatic technologies to deliver top-quality output in a wide range of print applications that can be tailor-made for customers and will enable them to grow business in their territories."

In other news, Konica Minolta has announced Steve Herbes has been named to this year's NJBIZ Leaders in Law list. Herbes joined Konica Minolta in 2014 and has held the positions of corporate counsel and compliance manager and assistant general counsel and director of compliance. He was recently promoted to senior vice president, general counsel.

Herbes leads a team of dedicated legal professionals who serve as trusted advisors on acquisitions and divestitures, litigate and oversee complex litigation by outside counsel, engage in commercial transaction negotiations, partner with human resources on legal matters, and ensure legal and regulatory compliance. He was part of an international team of Konica Minolta attorneys and professionals who developed and implemented the company's code of conduct and compliance program. Herbes also led a team of M&A attorneys in the successful restructuring of Konica Minolta's print management business.

"Steve's legal expertise, dedication and sound judgment make him an invaluable member of Konica Minolta's executive leadership team," said Sam Errigo, president and CEO, Konica Minolta. "His work has made an incredible impact, enhancing our corporate governance, business partnerships and identifying risks to keep our company protected. Congratulations to Steve and all the well-deserving law leaders recognized this year by NJBIZ."

Herbes has served as chair of the Mendham Township Board of Adjustment and is the former president of the Morris-Sussex Chapter of the New Jersey Society of CPAs and the Association for Corporate Counsel of New Jersey, where he partnered with minority bar associations to create programs that provided people of color and women greater exposure in the legal community. In his free time, he volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America, where he serves as treasurer of BSA Troop 1936, and is also a cantor at his church.

"In this line of work we are continually presented with new and unique circumstances and challenges to solve," Heroes said. "The ability to apply my knowledge and experience at Konica Minolta to develop legal strategies that drive growth and attain company objectives is extremely rewarding. I am incredibly honored to receive this award from NJBIZ and be part of this distinguished group of New Jersey leaders in law."

The Leaders in Law awards program honors legal professionals – lawyers and general counsels – whose dedication to their occupation and to their communities is outstanding. Following an open nomination period, honorees were chosen by a panel of independent judges with experience in the justice system. Read more about NJBIZ's 2022 Leaders in Law online.