Page 57 - Print21 March-April 2020

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our commercial printing business. Changing the company name represents the final integration level with Canon,” he said.
That Canon has such a strong commitment to commercial production printing will come as
no surprise to anyone who recalls the leading role it played in the development of digital printing
in the 1990s. The Canon digital technology, especially in colour printing, was the benchmark against which everything was measured.
In latter times, especially with the Océ takeover, it has again asserted itself as a premier brand not only in commercial printing but also across the widest range of digital printing applications. Under the Océ brand the high-speed continuous feed Colorstream and ProStream presses, became an industry standard while the wide-format and display graphics engines of the Colorado and the
will remain the same – to inspire the world of print, to bring the very best print technology to our customers.
“The rebranding will encompass the entire Océ product portfolio. Integrating our products under the Canon brand allows us to create brand unity across all areas of our printing business. Ultimately this end-to-end portfolio allows us to go-to-market with a seamless and hassle-free offering for customers.”
Hands on the wheel
Corporate governance in the supply chain is now a priority for many printers. Ensuring there is continuity and long-term stability is a prerequisite when considering capital investments. Often this relies on the people and personalities at the helm of particular companies. In an age of personal branding it’s important that executives identify who they are and
I was the general manager of laser printing at Canon’s headquarters in Japan, where I was tasked to manage and grow the division,” he said.
“My predecessor here was a leader who was well loved by the business. We’ve really focused on continuing to lead the success of Canon’s diversification strategy. We’ll
also continue to broaden Canon’s service offerings to future-proof our operations and dynamism across Oceania. Our customers, consumers, partners and employees, are truly
at the heart of everything we do. My team and I remain committed to helping them succeed.”
Craig Nethercott is another long-term company man, coming to Australia from the UK where he was director of commercial printing for Océ in the UK and Ireland for over ten years. This is indeed the second coming for the genial Welshman who spent most of 1990s in Perth playing as a
Arizona are widely regarded as market leading technologies.
Same same different
To the outside observer the brand initiative may seem puzzling. In real terms the disappearance of the Océ brand on equipment is likely to be the sole outward sign of the change. This will reinforce the power of the Canon brand, which is globally recognisable across many sectors outside the printing industry in a way Océ is not. It will simplify the ‘go to market’ strategy as the industry recognises that Canon is the supplier with the largest range of printing solutions.
Customers in Australia will continue to deal with their familiar representatives, maintaining the continuity that is the bedrock of brand loyalty. They will all be invited to make use of both the Canon Customer Experience Centre as well as the Canon Production Printing Customer Experience Centre in the rebadged offices at Clayton in Victoria.
“As always customers are our key focus. We’ll continue to work in a way that ensures top in class quality products and service across all our Oceania markets,” said Nethercott.
“We will continue to operate as a separate entity. The people, culture and operations here in Australia will remain exactly as they are. This means our customers will continue to experience the highest level of product quality, service and professional customer care.
“The intention of the Customer Experience Centre in Melbourne
their future intentions.
In this latest change the roles
of the two leading individuals in Australia and New Zealand remain the same.
Akira ‘Dave’ Yoshida has been
in the role of managing director of Canon Oceania since April 2018. A long-term Canon employee of over 30 years, he’s right at home operating Australia’s western business environment having spent time with the company in the USA.
“I’ve been with Canon for 30 years and counting, having held roles in Japan, USA and Canada. Prior to arriving on Australian shores,
“Ultimately this end-to-end portfolio allows us to go-to-market with a seamless and hassle-free offering for customers.” — Craig Nethercott, managing director,
Canon Production Printing Australasia
rugby professional. He took on the role of managing director of Océ Oceania in October 2017 before heading back over to bring his family out.
“My family, wife Lucy and two children Tegan-Rose and Rhys,
have settled into Australian life well, although they are confused by Melbourne’s ever changing weather.
“I was privileged to spend the majority of the 90s living in Perth playing rugby so I’ve a long standing association with Australia. What makes it so special now are the people and passion both within Canon and the broader printing industry here in Oceania.”
Global print priority
The strengthening of the Canon brand not only in Oceania but also around the world is good news for the printing industry. It focuses attention on the priority the multi- national is giving to printing as a continuing sector for development.
“Print continues to be an important part of the Canon group portfolio. It might be surprising to know that commercial print is one of Canon´s strategic growth markets,” said Nethercott. “All goals including revenues, R&D and our corporate focus are devoted to printing technology.
“The continuing development
of the innovative technologies Océ is renowned for, coupled with the strength and market leadership of the Canon brand, puts us in an even stronger position to deliver the best solutions on the market.” 21
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