An iconic heritage-listed building in Sydney’s western suburb of Rosehill hosted the first Lithographic Institute of Australia 2019 industry visit last night when members turned up to see how recycling and refurbishment are keeping technology costs down while minimising environmental impacts.
A tour of the relaunched Fuji Xerox recycling and refurbishment program in its new premises provided the band of industry professionals with an insight into the company’s commitment to reducing its ecological footprint. The building is a showcase of reuse and recycling technology, with rubber floors and former pallet timbers around in the flyer. It is also a timeline of Fuji Xerox’ history of printing innovation.
Bede Wolf, operations manager, talked the group through the history of xerography, illustrating the journey with actual machines from the different eras. First up was the original 1959 office plain paper copier, a transformative engine that had an unfortunate flaw of occasionally bursting into flames. Nonetheless it proved to be a massive success.
He moved on to the first of The Lakes models from 1977, where the visitors could recognise the familiar form of contemporary Fuji Xerox printers. This was also the first model where the company started using remanufactured parts.
The final example was of an up to the minute APEOSPORT – IV C3370, the most energy efficient press so far, consuming less power in standby, low power and operating modes that goes to sleep within two seconds of not being used. The story was one of continuous improvement, enthusiastically endorsed by Wolf.
The 600m2 training and technology room is chock a block with models from many different periods and types. It’s used to train Fuji Xerox customers in the operation of the machines as well as its own engineers. Refurbished parts are run for the life of the machine to test for quality control.
According to Lloyd DeSousa, national service manager, the Eco Manufacturing Centre will have zero landfill from this month with everything from food waste to metal and plastic parts tracked by line of sight all the way to their destinations. He made the point that 80 to 90% of the parts in the new generation machines can be reused in what is termed ‘remanufacturing.’ It’s all part of Fuji Xerox’s Product Stewardship.
Mitch Mulligan, President of the LIA, in a vote of thanks to the FX staff described the visit as, “a good news story for the printing industry and an example of how printers and suppliers can introduce similar practices in their own businesses.”
We then retired to the Rosehill Bowling Club for the customary LIA dinner and good cheer.