In 2003, Riso debuted its first high-speed inkjet printer that employed industrial inkjet technologies for business use in the Japanese market. It expanded overseas in 2005 and said it had been continually advancing its capabilities since then.

The 120ppm Riso HC5500 was the first model on the market – the company said this machine was designed to familiarise businesses with colour printing.

Since then, its cold inkjet technology has evolved and Riso now offers a cutsheet inkjet production printer that achieves 330ppm duplex, along with MFD printers capable of 165ppm.

The company said its vision was driven by its founder, Noboru Hayama, who believed that people should always pursue their ideals to secure a better future, and this inspired him to name his first mimeograph printing company – Ideal became Riso in Japanese.

Before the creation of inkjet printers or photocopiers, mimeographs were used as a means of duplication, especially in classrooms and offices. This machinery involved forcing ink through a stencil onto paper and was seen as an affordable solution to printing and making copies.

Hayama recognised the potential in this process, and his wider family supported his vision. The company’s later launch of inkjet enabled Riso to continue to grow and ultimately serve customers in 190 countries and regions.

Tatsuo Murakami, managing director of Riso UK, said: “This year marks a significant milestone for Riso as we celebrate 20 years of innovation in inkjet printing.

“Our entry into inkjet technology was a defining moment that solidified our position as a global leader in high-speed, high-efficiency printing.

“Throughout this journey, we have remained true to our founding principles of creating fundamentally unique products. As we look ahead, we are excited for the future and the new opportunities for Riso.”

The business will showcase its high-performance inkjet printers integrated with post-processing kit designed to enhance production efficiency at Hunkeler Innovationdays in Lucerne next week.