Ricoh remains in top shape

Another solid sales year and a continued focus on innovative technology are two key themes to emerge from Ricoh New Zealand’s 2016 Sustainability Report, its ninth such report.

While the copier/printer industry has been going through a challenging period, Ricoh remains in a sound financial position and is pleased to report it was the top performing Ricoh subsidiary in the Asia Pacific region for profit.

Managing Director, Michael Pollok says the company’s financial performance is testament to its early foresight to move away from the traditional print business model.

“We’re going from strength-to-strength and while this is the result of many factors, it’s definitely due in part to our decision to move away from a business model totally reliant on traditional print. This was met with some surprise a decade ago. However, it’s enabled us to remain open to new ideas and prepare ourselves, and our customers, for a post-print future,” he says.

Pollok says he can’t stress enough the importance of financial sustainability: “Without a sound financial platform there’s limited opportunity to focus on other aspects of the triple bottom line, like giving back to our communities of interest and investing in technology that helps to reduce our impact.”

During the reporting year Ricoh launched its Unified Communications System (UCS) – an innovative video conferencing solution that integrates video, audio, text and interactive media.

Technology like the UCS is helping Ricoh to reduce its impact and that of its customers. It allows visual communication with anyone, anytime, anywhere, meaning that in addition to reducing an organisation’s carbon footprint, it also saves money on travel, helps to make better use of time and improves inter-office collaboration.

Highlights from the 2016 reporting year include:

• A significant decrease in carbon emissions associated with fuel – 2016 saw a 20 percent decrease in fuel consumption due to a raft of initiatives helping Ricoh to reduce its load.
• Improved data measurement tools helping Ricoh to measure and manage its impact with more accuracy.
• Growth on track – net sales for Ricoh New Zealand reached $136.7m, with the company taking out the top spot in Ricoh’s Asia Pacific region for profit.
• A renewed focus on product recycling – Ricoh is continuing to emphasise the importance of recycling print devices and their components.
  • In the reporting year it increased toner cartridge recycling by eight percent, from 102,500 in 2015 to 108, 673.
  • 2016 was also the first full year Ricoh has been working through a single supplier for e-waste. Its nationwide, certified e-waste partnership with Croxley Recycling is the only one of its kind in New Zealand.
• Giving back – each of Ricoh’s six New Zealand offices continued to support local community organisations, charities and individuals of their choice. At the national level, Ricoh focused its efforts on the Unicorn Foundation by cycling against NET cancer, and continued its support of the Fred Hollows Foundation and the Attitude Awards.

Click here to view a copy of The Ricoh Report 2016