COMPANY
HISTORY
The story of currency machine development really begins in1958. In that year Komori was one of five selected Japanese companies invited to take part in a competitive bidding process to supply a two-colour sheet-fed dry offset press to the National Printing Bureau of Japan for the Ministry of Finance. The strict criteria dictated that the machine had to be designed, manufactured and delivered in four months. Everyone in Komori thought this couldn’t be done. However the word from top management was to ‘make it happen, Komori must win this tender’.
The design and manufacturing team based in the Adachi factory (the former Sekiyado factory) literally worked day and night to enable the press to meet the delivery milestones. These milestones were achieved and the press was installed and commissioned perfectly. As a result of this successful installation, the following year the Bureau ordered a four colour dry offset machine and this was soon followed by further orders for combination multiprocess offset and intaglio presses. Over time, Komori became the leading supplier of currency and security printing machinery to the National Printing Bureau, helping to secure the supply of Japanese Yen during the critical period of high end growth from 1955 to 1973.
Indeed, to this day, Komori are the sole supplier of currency and security presses to the NPBJ.
In 1967, Komori installed a three colour dry offset sammel press and a six colour small size combination multiprocess offset and intaglio press. This enabled the Bureau to produce superb quality rainbow printing and extremely fine line reproduction without using water. The combination of dry offset and intaglio printing was used as one of the major security features of Japanese banknotes at that time.
What is more, in 1972, Komori developed and manufactured a combination multiprocess offset and intaglio press which could print four colour dry offset in conjunction with three colour intaglio in one pass using the same impression cylinder and for high value banknotes such as the 10,000 Japanese Yen, where security features were of paramount importance, this was a great technological advancement. Due to the strong economic growth, there was a huge demand for banknotes and speed of production became vitally important therefore this press was designed to print at 7,800 sheets per hour.
The high print quality of the Japanese currency and government bonds soon became noticed in the financial industry. In the early 1980’s, Komori commenced design and manufacture of currency machinery to the central banks and private commercial banknote printers in other countries.
Komori made this a success by offering a complete solution such as providing pre-press equipment, software, design and platemaking expertise (including fine engraving), peripheral equipment, logistical systems and advanced security systems for the whole facility.
Komori held an International Currency System Seminar in Tokyo in 1987. This event was organized to reveal to the industry Komori technology and demonstrate the machinery that would shape the currency press line up. One year after the event, in 1988, an order from Korea was received for a nine colour dry offset printing press using Sammel technology (LTS-932) and this signaled the company’s first export sale of currency equipment. This was closely followed by sales to Russia and China and then full production lines to India (1986) and Nigeria (1998).
In subsequent years, Komori have had some notable successes within the industry and have recently installed machinery in several countries.
ICA
Komori Corporation is a member of the International Currency Association (ICA). The ICA is an organization which, along with its members, represents the views of the currency industry in promoting cash and supports currencies worldwide as a universal and inclusive means of payment. The association also ensures the highest levels of confidence in currency and the extensive supply chain and nurtures technological advances and innovation.
Komori Corporation are also committed to defend and promote the use of cash as a secure, efficient and effective option for payments, now and in the future.
WaterAid
Clean water is required to produce banknote paper for use in banknote printing.
Therefore, KOMORI's business cannot be realized without clean water.
KOMORI is also promoting environmental activities to meet the expectations of an environmentally friendly society.
We support WaterAid who is an international non-governmental organization and works to provide clean water, decent toilet and good hygiene to everyone, everywhere around the world.
