Industrial Inkjet Ltd (IIJ), a UK-based inkjet systems integrator and product developer, is celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special dinner and party for its employees. IIJ, which reports a record-breaking year with turnover of 16% ahead of the 2014 total where sales had jumped 50% more than any previous year, is predicting another big business surge for its industrial inkjet business moving forward.

John Corrall, managing director of IIJ, said, “Our growth over the 10 years has been steadily upwards, but now we’re predicting that certain markets – including packaging and security – are going to climb extremely quickly in the near future. What we keep saying is that it’s ‘hockey stick’ time for inkjet in a lot of markets, which means a big upturn at the end. We’re ready to be surfing on that crest of a wave.” Corrall also paid tribute to his staff – now totaling 42 – and other business colleagues, who have helped IIJ become a force within the industrial inkjet printing market.

The company uses Konica Minolta inkjet print head technologies and provides bespoke systems for customers in numerous industries. Customers range from forward-thinking niche integrators and printers, right up to global giants in sectors such as pharmaceutical, security printing, labels, packaging, confectionery, flooring and laminates.

IIJ got its start in December 2005 when Akiyoshi Ohno, former president and now senior adviser for Konica Minolta Inkjet division, invited Corrall to head up a European distribution business for its industrial inkjet heads.

“Five minutes into a conversation at dinner, Ohno-san asked me to run industrial inkjet sales and technical support in Europe,” recalled Corrall. “I said I was going to set up a company anyway, so we shook hands. And it has just grown from there.”

From providing expertise and parts for machines, in 2007 IIJ made a new label-making system that was launched by Konica Minolta at drupa in 2008. After that show, it began making its own complete industrial inkjet systems. IIJ is also the official sales and technical support centre for Konica Minolta Inc. products outside of Asia. The company offers advice on any aspect of the use of inkjet technology in industrial applications. IIJ provides complete solutions for the successful design and implementation of Konica Minolta’s industrial printheads which are renowned for high print quality and reliability.