Inkjet & Digital Printing
Océ sees sales of sustainable systems soar in wake of credit crunch
Thursday 16. April 2009 - Clever design of re-used printers offers new market opportunities in turbulent times
Océ, an international leader in digital printing and document management, today announced that sales of its re-used printing systems are soaring. In 2008, Océ sold approximately 5,000 renovated systems, an increase of some 60% on the approximately 3,000 printers sold in 2007.
Best of both worlds
This increase across the globe offers customers the opportunity to accelerate their investment in new printers. Their current printers are then re-used and they can keep pace with the latest technologies. In this way, customers benefit from the best of both worlds.
On average, these systems are three-to-five years used, fully renovated, and command a more economical retail price. Océ guarantees quality levels that are identical to those of a new printer. This is one of the keynote messages enshrined in the Océ 2008 Sustainability Report, published this morning.
Some 5,000 refurbished printers sold in 2008
In 2008, the company introduced Océ Prémia Class, a quality label offering re-used printing systems across the world. The re-used printers come from Océs own Asset Recovery plants, of which the first opened in Venlo in 1990. Since then, other Océ Asset Recovery plants have been located in Chicago, Munich and Prague. Collectively, these plants supplied 5,000 renovated printing systems and 130,000 components and modules in 2008.
“A second life” : Océ CEO Rokus van Iperen
“For 30 years, we have been systematically stepping up our re-use of materials in renovated printers,” said Rokus van Iperen, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Océ. “This is only possible due to intelligent product design. In the current market, we see increasing customer acceptance of procuring a printer embarking on a second life.”
Re-use means less energy, waste and ozone in product life cycles
Re-use plays a key role in the total printer production process. Océ re-uses many components and modules of systems that are returned from the market. Re-use is more environmentally friendly than recycling, because no waste is produced during processing. Océ Prémia Class is a distinctive printer series with a second life, for which the logo and line were launched last year. Océ guarantees the same quality as it would for a new printing system, thereby saving the customer money by offering an even more attractive product pricing.
“Oce CrystalPoint technology: bulls-eye!”
2008 also saw the launch of Océ CrystalPoint technology, which is being used in the development of a number of new system applications. “For years, we have been working on a technology that minimized emissions of ozone, dust, toner and noise. The introduction of Océ CrystalPoint technology can best be described in one word: bulls-eye! The results of this sustainable technology exceeded all expectations. In the workplace, Océ CrystalPoint technology is the logical choice, because products applying this technology use less energy, produce less waste, emit less ozone and make less noise. In years to come, we intend to introduce more printing systems driven by this technology,” Van Iperen concluded.
The Océ 2008 Sustainability Report can be found on the sustainability.oce.com website, where an overview of the companys sustainability strategy, objectives and results is provided.