Japanese imaging and copier company Canon has announced plans to acquire Oce, taking it into the emerging digital newspaper printing market.

Oce has become the digital newspaper market leader with its well-established network of print sites and other developing users including Spain's Imcodavila. Read the full announcement at www.canon.com/news/2009/nov16e.html

Océ's international corporate communications director Nancy Aschman says Océ will become a separate division within Canon, with its headquarters remaining in Venlo (the Netherlands).

"Océ will lead it’s print related R&D and manufacturing," she says. "Current Océ Centres including R&D in the Netherlands will remain a centre of technological expertise within the combination. The Océ team will also take up the worldwide responsibility for wide format and commercial printing, as well as business services. Our office activities will be integrated into Canon’s."

She says the Océ name will remain an important brand within the portfolio of the combined company and the full Océ board will remain in place. "We all share great pride that the combination will be a global champion in the printing industry," she says.