Fumio Wakisaka Senior Vice President & Member of the Board General Manager Paper & Printing Machinery Division

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Advancements in digital technology over the past few years have brought about significant changes within the printing industry. On a broader scale, the world in general has also undergone great changes as a result of progress made in information technology – best exemplified by expansion of the Internet, and further influenced by declining birthrates and aging populations in industrially advanced nations, and through rapid globalization.

In light of these changes, Mitsubishi remains firmly committed to technological originality as the path for providing customers with the means to a brighter future. Applying the concept of “Winning Technology and Trusting Quality” to our printing press business endeavors, we constantly remains focused on meeting customers’ needs and on upholding our motto of “Contributions for your Success.”

A Japanese word that recently joined the international lexicon is mottainai – “what a waste,” and applies when addressing global environment-related issues. In particular, now that environmental concerns are a relevant component to any success, Mitsubishi is targeting technological developments in the three distinct areas of natural, business and social environments.

Last year, as a result of our efforts, the revolutionary DIAMOND 16 MAX-V web offset press featuring variable web cutoffs began commercial operations. Through use of one press capable of providing different product cutoffs, savings can be realized through less sheet waste, equating to environment savings of natural resources.

In terms of a better business environment, the Mitsubishi Color Control System (MCCS-V) that we launched in 2006 helps contribute to stabilization of the printing process. This is realized by providing color process control across the entire print image.

A new technology that we unveiled last year is the simultaneous color adjustment interface. This system enables fine-tuning of color balance in any part of the image without the need of adjusting individual ink keys at each process color. In light of less-skill requirements dictated by current social environments, this new system proves extremely easy to use.

Moreover, during the past year, shipments of our Tandem Perfector sheet-fed offset presses and our MAX Series of shaftless–drive commercial web offset presses both surpassed the 100-press total, proving the wide popularity of these products.

We are looking forward to several big events in the near future beginning with IGAS in Japan this year and drupa in Germany next year. Mitsubishi will again be showcasing new products and technologies at both venues designed to bring even greater benefits to customers through improvements in the “natural, business and social environments.”

To make the printing environment even better for our customers around the world, Mitsubishi will continue to stress active communication interchanges with you, and through your continued guidance and patronage we will work diligently in developing products of high standards. I thank you for choosing Mitsubishi printing presses and hope you will continue to favor us with your support and trust in this new year.