Konica Minolta specializes in the development of innovative digital printing solutions, offering a wide innovative digital printing solutions, offering a wide range of products and services across different industries. Their textile printing division is particularly well-regarded, with cutting-edge technologies designed to enhance the fabric printing process. One of their standout offerings is the Nassenger SP-1e, a high-performance textile printer engineered for high-quality, high-speed printing on a variety of fabrics, ensuring vibrant colors and sharp details with Konica Minolta inks. Zaman Textile, based in Pakistan, is a leading manufacturer and supplier specializing in textiles and fabric solutions. The company focuses on producing top-tier textile products for a wide array of applications, combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques to deliver high-quality fabrics globally. Zaman Textile’s offerings span from ready-to-wear fabrics to custom solutions for diverse industries, catering to a wide range of customer needs with a strong emphasis on quality and sustainability.
In an exclusive interview, TEXtalks has the privilege of speaking with some of the key players behind the successful integration of Konica Minolta’s cutting-edge technology into Zaman Textile Mills. Jamil Qassim, CEO of Zaman Textile Private Limited, and Bilal Qassim, Director at Zaman Textile Private Limited, highlighted the transformative impact of the Nassenger SP-1e on their operations. Gianluca Macchi, Sales Director, Konica Minolta, shared insights on the company’s innovative approach to textile printing, while additionally, Amir Mirza, CEO, TEXSOL Private Limited and the official representative of Konica Minolta in Pakistan, highlighted a unique perspective on how the collaboration between Konica Minolta and Zaman has elevated the textile industry in the region. Together, these industry leaders provided a deep dive into the groundbreaking partnership that’s shaping the future of textile manufacturing. The following interview shares deep insights into how this game-changing technology has elevated their production and quality standards.Zaman Textile, Konica Minolta and TEXSOL team at Zaman Textile Mills Karachi.Unmatched quality and reliability Zaman Textile’s repeated purchase of NASSENGER SP-1e for premium quality products.
TEXtalks: Can you tell us about the journey and success of Zaman Textile Mills, including the key challenges and milestones along the way?
Jamil Qassim: Zaman Textiles, a spinning unit was acquired by Premier Group in 2003 from Alkaram. Initially, we upgraded the machines and began producing a variety of yarns for the local and export market for towels, fabrics, and knitted garments. In 2009 our journey took a significant step forward when we acquired land in the Landhi Industrial Area and set up a weaving unit with reconditioned Picanol looms. It was a challenging endeavor, but we managed it well and today the unit has 580 looms with a variety of dobby, jacquard and rapier looms. Taking the initiative for value addition, we began exploring dyeing and printing plants. In 2019 we took on another challenge and imported the complete dyeing plant from Brandix, Sri Lanka, receiving around 400 containers, and successfully installed them in Karachi. This was a pivotal moment for us. However, when COVID-19 hit, our export plans were impacted. We diverted our strategy and targeted the domestic market. Despite the challenges and difficulties of Covid and a used plant, we remained confident and continuously improved our machinery, adding latest technologies in all the processes. Starting with 3 million meters per month, within 5 years we have grown to 16 million meters per month, thanks to our dedicated and capable team. As we continue to innovate, we have added digital printing machines to our operations, and our next target is to achieve 20 million meters per month by 2026. In addition, we have expanded into stitching, with a focus on home textiles, and plan to add a garment stitching unit in the future. We are extremely positive and look forward to even more growth and success in the coming years.
TEXtalks: What factors influenced your decision to shift to and purchase the Konica Minolta digital printing machine?
Bilal Qassim: The decision to choose the Nassenger SP-1e was driven by its exceptional quality, durability and reliability. We were particularly impressed by the claim that the printheads would remain in excellent condition over an extended period, and this promise has proven to be true. It has been one of the best investments we’ve made, offering long-term performance with the best quality.
TEXtalks: How has the implementation of the NASSENGER SP-1e’s enhanced your production efficiency compared to traditional machines?
Bilal Qassim: Single-pass technology is undeniably one of the fastest and most efficient printing technologies available today, outpacing any alternatives in the market. The speed and precision it offers are unparalleled, making it a game-changer for production efficiency. One of the key benefits we’ve experienced is a significant reduction in downtime, allowing us to keep operations running smoothly and consistently. With seven digital printing machines in our fleet, integrating the Nassenger SP-1e has had a massive impact on our capacity.
TEXtalks: What types of products are you producing with the NASSENGER SP-1e, and how has it impacted the overall quality?
Bilal Qassim: With the Nassenger SP-1e, we are now successfully serving both the fashion apparel and quilting industries. Moreover, the print quality has consistently exceeded our expectations, ensuring that we deliver top-tier results to our clients. Overall, we are extremely satisfied with the performance of the machine, and it has proven to be an invaluable asset to our operations.
TEXtalks: What are your plans for further expansion with Konica Minolta, and how do you see their technology supporting your growth in the future?
Bilal Qassim: At Zaman Textiles, we have set an ambitious target of processing 20 million meters per month, and the Nassenger SP-1e has played a crucial role in helping us move toward that goal. We’re extremely happy with the performance of the Nassenger SP-1e —it has proven to be reliable, efficient, and consistent. Given its positive impact on our operations, we have purchased another machine within 7 months of installation of the first one, to further boost our production capacity to 215,000 meters per day.
TEXtalks: What is the future potential of digital textile printing, and how do you see the industry shifting towards this technology?
Bilal Qassim: In my opinion, digital printing has already overtaken traditional printing, and we’re only seeing the beginning of this shift. It’s becoming increasingly clear that customers are demanding quicker turn-around times and shorter run sizes, which is something traditional printing often struggles to accommodate. There is still a long way to go with digital pigment printing in terms of price competitiveness and color brilliancy however, with reduction in water and energy consumption, it seems to be the most anticipated technology of the textile industry.
TEXtalks: How has your experience been with Konica Minolta’s after-sales service, in terms of support, maintenance, and overall responsiveness?
Bilal Qassim: Our previous experience with Konica Minolta’s representative in Pakistan wasn’t as proactive in terms of on-ground support, but since TEXSOL has taken over as Konica Minolta’s representative, we are expecting an improved response by providing us with immediate technical support and ensuring that we have everything we need to maintain smooth operations.Zaman Textile, Konica Minolta and TEXSOL team with NASSENGER SP-1e.
TEXtalks: What are the features of the NASSENGER SP-1e and how does it differentiate itself from traditional technology?
Gianluca Macchi: Konica Minolta is a renowned multinational global company with a legacy spanning over 150 years, establishing itself as a leader in diverse industries. One of the company’s most distinguished business units is its textile printing division, where Konica Minolta stands out from its competitors. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to quality and reliability, two key pillars that have earned us a trusted reputation in the textile industry. Our single-pass technology is a core differentiator, ensuring exceptional performance and efficiency in printing. A standout feature of our machines is the automatic nozzle compensation system, which is patented and integrated into the printer to enhance precision and consistency. Moreover, Konica Minolta’s advanced inks, including reactive, disperse, and pigment inks, are specifically designed to work seamlessly with our single-pass machines. These innovative ink solutions ensure vibrant color reproduction and high durability, offering unparalleled results across a range of fabrics.
TEXtalks: How was your experience working with Zaman Textile Mills during the sales and installation process?
Gianluca Macchi: Zaman Textile is undoubtedly one of the most important textile mills, not only in Pakistan but across the globe. Our experience working with them has been exceptional from the very beginning. During the installation of the Nassenger SP-1e, we encountered the usual challenges that come with setting up such a critical machine. However, thanks to the incredible support from Zaman’s dedicated technical team and their deep expertise in digital textile processes, we were able to navigate these hurdles seamlessly. With the collaboration of our technicians from Japan and Europe, the installation was completed efficiently and to the highest standards, ensuring that the machine was up and running in the shortest possible time. This smooth and successful installation speaks to the professionalism and commitment of Zaman Textile in embracing cutting-edge technology to enhance their operations.
TEXtalks: Would you like to share any recent innovation developments of Konica Minolta with us?
Gianluca Macchi: At Konica Minolta, we are not only leaders in mechanical engineering but also pioneers in developing sustainable technologies. One of our key innovations is our in-line pre-treatment ink, which allows printing on wet designs. This cutting-edge technology significantly shortens production times, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes environmental impact by eliminating the need for additional drying or post-treatment steps. By integrating such sustainable practices into our machinery, we make it easier for industries to adopt more eco-friendly and efficient production processes. Our innovations enhance operational efficiency while contributing to a reduction in resource use, waste, and overall carbon footprint, making the entire production cycle more sustainable. This commitment to both technological advancement and environmental stewardship underscores our dedication to providing high-quality, faster production with a smaller environmental footprint.
TEXtalks: How does Konica Minolta foresee and play a part in the future of the digital printing market?
Gianluca Macchi: The digital printing market is one of the fastest-growing sectors worldwide, and it’s clear that sustainability will be at the forefront of its development. As traditional printing methods gradually make way for digital technology, the shift will not only enhance efficiency but also reduce the overall environmental impact. As sustainability becomes a priority across all industries, digital printing is poised to lead the charge, offering a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods. This transition is an exciting step toward a greener future for the printing industry.
TEXtalks: TEXSOL has just shifted to represent Konica Minolta in Pakistan. How does this innovative technology benefit Pakistan?
Amir Mirza: The benefits of Konica Minolta are truly unmatched. While there are many machines in the market, and Konica Minolta holds a strong market share, starting with this technology gives us a distinct edge. The expertise enables us to offer high-quality printing solutions that are tailored to the needs of our market, ensuring we consistently provide the best possible results.
TEXtalks: How does TEXSOL ensure customers like Zaman Textile Mills receive the best value from Konica Minolta’s products?
Amir Mirza: For any kind of machine, after-sales service is the most important aspect, and at TEXSOL, we have fully geared up to ensure top-notch support. We have a team of highly trained engineers who specialize in servicing Konica Minolta machinery. Our technicians travel to Japan for advanced training, keeping them updated with the latest technology and best practices. In addition, we maintain an inventory of spare parts, allowing us to provide real-time assistance and minimize any downtime for our clients. This proactive approach to after-sales service ensures that we can offer exceptional support, making it a crucial element of our operations and a must in the industry. We pride ourselves on delivering reliable, quick, and efficient service to keep our clients’ machines running at optimal performance.
