Research & Development

Many in the industry think of Katun primarily as a highly efficient distributor offering a vast range of cost-effective products. However, that is only half of the story. Unlike many distribution companies, we actively develop and co-develop our products with an extensive network of the world's finest manufacturers, and rigorously test them in all their intended applications.

Our state-of-the-art research and development facility in Minneapolis is the heart and soul of Katun's product development process, and dozens of Katun employees worldwide are directly engaged in Product Development, Technical Operations, Engineering Support, and Quality Assurance. More than any other single factor, this separates Katun from other companies pursuing your parts-and-supplies business.

Tour the Katun Laboratory to learn about our research and development capabilities.

Acceptance Testing and On-Going Quality Assurance

At Katun, quality assurance begins before our products are ever introduced. The thoroughness, scope, and rigor of Katun's product testing procedures are a revelation to many of those who visit our World Headquarters in Minneapolis. Katun Technical Operations maintains and utilizes over 550 copiers, printers, facsimiles, and multifunctional devices — including both newer and older-generation machines — in our Practical Applications Testing Laboratory. Allowing comprehensive evaluation of Katun products in all their intended applications, this unique testing laboratory plays an integral part in Katun product development and ongoing quality assurance.

Every new Katun product must pass a full battery of tests to evaluate its life/yield, compatibility with OEM products, and overall performance under a wide range of environmental and machine usage conditions. Katun toners and developers undergo laboratory analysis of all critical physical, electrical and thermal characteristics, followed by comprehensive in-machine tests and documentation of all measurable performance parameters. For photoreceptors, tests ensure optimum electrical and dimensional characteristics and in-machine tests are conducted over the drum's full actual life, under conditions simulating real-world usage as closely as possible. Equally comprehensive procedures ensure the high performance and absolute dependability of Katun parts. And with all Katun Performance products, our 360º Quality Certification means quality, support, and reliability.

Katun also ensures that every shipment of these products is up to your high quality standards. Extensively trained quality assurance inspectors maintain samples and thorough specification documentation for every product we offer. This enables us to enforce ongoing compliance with all specifications. Sophisticated sampling techniques and statistical methods directly enhance the effectiveness of these stringent QA procedures.