TECHNOLOGY
Epson Europe ’ s CSR Director Henning Ohlsson explains how the company ’ s lean approach to manufacturing draws on the Japanese philosophy of monozukuri
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T he Japanese approach to making things , ‘ monozukuri ’, aims to use systematic methods of production to reduce costs and eliminate waste to deliver the quality customers expect . This approach to sustainability has driven innovation at Epson to meet the needs of today without compromising the needs of the future . Today ’ s manufacturers are realising that this goal takes them back to the lean manufacturing approach and a focus on continuous improvement ; known as ‘ kaizen ’ in Japan .
Many innovations have come out of Epson ’ s approach to sustainability . The company invented the world ’ s first miniature digital printer in 1968 , the EP-101 , from which the Epson brand was born . It ’ s a part of the heritage of the printing industry . Epson also invented the first commercial inkjet colour printer ( the SQ-2000 was launched in 1984 ) on which its main business is based across consumer , office and industry . Epson ’ s commitment to technology drives the energy
MAY 2020