Monotech deal signals India return for Shinohara

T P Jain, managing director, Monotech Systems says “We are excited to add Shinohara offset presses in our product portfolio. The sheetfed offset market has shown strong rebound in recent past and the preference is for new machines. Shinohara offers a lot of value added features which will help us to position this product well in the market”

Shinohara announced that the manufacturer, now owned by Hans Gronhi, would be re establishing a Japanese manufacturing facility.

As well as manufacturing sheetfed presses, the new plant will be the centre for future product development, with Kubota stating that the firm is currently working on some potential inkjet products. Laser cutting is also being evaluated.

Chinese manufacturer Hans Gronhi acquired Japanese counterpart Shinohara in 2012, and manufacturing was subsequently consolidated in China.

However, the firm has now decided to make a major investment in a new 5,000 sqm facility in Shizuoka that will manufacture presses for markets outside of Asia. “Customers should know we will be making our presses the way we always have, by hand, to bring ultimate quality to the market,” Kubota said.

The new facility will make the Shinohara’s full range of presses, in formats spanning B3 to SRA1 for its home market of Japan and key export territories including Europe and the US.

Parent Hans Gronhi will still continue to make Shinohara presses for Chinese and Asian customers at its giant 3,85,000 sqm plant in Yingkou.

According to a press release from Monotech, "The product line for the Indian market includes Shinohara's high pile series of presses."

Liu Xuezhi, the managing director of Shinohara said, “It’s our pleasure to meet Monotech in Print China 2015 and cooperate with the company. India is a huge and serious competitive market, for large-scale equipment manufacturer, after sales service is the most important factor to get good sales performance. Monotech who is of professional teams and committed staffs will be sure to supply satisfied service to all Indian printers and meanwhile re-establish Shinohara branding in India market.”