The manufacturer announced its role as St Bride’s first Platinum Print Heritage Partner at a reception held at the charity’s London home last night.

Through the partnership Konica Minolta will help the organisation to digitally catalogue its vast collection, helping to preserve it for future generations, and to streamline its current processes. Further sponsorship involvement from the manufacturer will be agreed on an ongoing basis.

Addressing around 100 guests at last night’s event, St Bride Foundation life president Peter Longland said he believed the partnership would be mutually beneficial. “We have much to gain from each other,” he added. 

“It is a struggle for us to survive and we always need help. As our organisation progresses I’m sure that our partnership with Konica Minolta will be of great benefit, and I hope that it is a long-lasting relationship."

Longland said that the involvement of Konica Minolta would not only help preserve the heritage of St Bride’s artefacts, but also help future generations to understand the development of printing technology. 

Konica Minolta UK managing director Neil Dingley said: “At Konica Minolta, print is what we do and we understand the need to preserve its heritage. We hope even that one day our own equipment will be displayed in here to help inspire future generations and we are proud to become a partner of the St Bride Foundation."

He added: "This sponsorship really underlines our commitment to the printing industry and preserving its heritage."