Océ always strives to find a solution that suits the customer’s individual needs. At the same time our extensive experience means that we are also very much aware of the similarities between our customers. This enables us to draw up the right range of machines, modified and complemented with the ideal peripherals, software and service. Our products are increasingly capable of being upgraded to the latest technology. In order to offer maximum flexibility we design our hardware and software on the basis of open architecture. Most of our equipment has been developed to enable third-party products to interface with it. This not only protects our customer’s investment but also prevents existing equipment from entering the waste chain prematurely.

Reuse and re-manufacturing are extremely important for Océ. Since our products are built for prolonged, intensive use under difficult circumstances, most parts in the robust machines long outlive the average time the equipment is active at the customer’s site. At the end of their economic life, they are recovered to be reused as service parts or in new products. Our Research & Development has a long-standing tradition of designing new equipment with reused parts [cradle-to-cradle].

 

Our re-manufacturing programs are still expanding. Many of our larger companies have their own facilities for stripping down used machines. Thanks to the reuse and re-manufacturing processes and the use of recyclable materials, only a very small fraction of our equipment ends up as landfill, where it can then be disposed of in a controlled manner.

 

In 2006, Océ-Czeska Republika was the sixth Océ company to be certified to ISO 14001 standards for its environmental management system in the area of sales, service, Océ Business Services and consultancy. And the number is still growing; Océ-France and Océ-Iberia have also applied for certification and are expected to complete the process during 2007. Océ-Iberia already has an ISO 14001 certificate for its Spanish facilities and is now applying for certification of the Portuguese company as well. Océ-Technologies and Océ Printing Systems, both certified to ISO 14001, will renew their certification in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The purpose of this demanding standard is to help all organizations to protect the environment, prevent pollution, and improve their environmental performance. We continuously strive to make progress in this area.