Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. (Konica Minolta) has announced it has received first place in Brand Loyalty in the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index (CLEI) for the 16th consecutive year. The win confirms that Konica Minolta best meets or exceeds customer expectations among all brands competing in the category.

Brand Keys publishes the annual syndicated study, which recognized Konica Minolta for Brand Loyalty in the "MFP Office Copier" (multifunction printer) category. The Brand Keys' data paints a detailed picture of the category drivers that engage customers, engender loyalty and drive real profits.

This year's study revealed a dramatic shift in how consumers review and compare brands. Expectations are higher than ever and have been found to be predominantly emotional, as consumers consider social advocacy, political tribalism and the economic landscape in their evaluations. This has widened the gap between customer desire and brand delivery, creating even more challenges for brands as they work to close these gaps and maintain brand profitability.

"Customer experience takes top priority in our business plans as we strive to retain our current clients and attract new ones, and we are so pleased to know that our efforts to meet their ever-evolving expectations continue to be successful," said Kay Fernandez, senior vice president of marketing, Konica Minolta. "We are so proud to have maintained the loyalty of our customers year after year despite ongoing challenges and truly appreciate the trust they place in us."

Brand Keys' 26th annual CLEI and research consultancy identifies brands that are best able to engage clients by meeting or exceeding their expectations, thereby creating client loyalty. The Index recognizes the brands that receive the highest loyalty and engagement assessments, and surpass competitors for responding to the category values customers desire most.

"Because expectations are more emotionally-based today, brands can have a difficult time identifying and tracking them," said Robert Passikoff, founder and president, Brand Keys. "Konica Minolta is one of those 'hero' brands that have pretty much 'owned' the number-one spot in their categories long enough to earn a 'perennial loyalty' designation, and for that we offer our hearty congratulations."

This year's Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index examined customers' relationships with 987 brands in 110 categories. View the complete list of the highest-rated brands online.