From printers to projectors, Epson’s technologies have continuously focused on improving and enriching people’s lives across the world, including in South Africa. This year, celebrating its 80th anniversary, the global technology leader reflects on the industry firsts, sustainability efforts, and the milestones it’s had the privilege of sharing with its South African customers and partners.
“As Epson celebrates its 80th anniversary, we feel privileged to have contributed to the enrichment of South Africans across all corners of the country, and we are grateful to our many customers and stakeholders for their support throughout the years,” says Timothy Thomas, country manager, Epson South Africa. “Our core purpose is to continue contributing to the growth of the country’s small businesses, achieving sustainability goals, and driving education development. We’re confident that we can achieve more in the years to come, along with our partners and other stakeholders.”
80 years of supporting environmental sustainability
In March 2021, Epson updated its corporate vision, Epson 25, and is now operating under Epson 25 Renewed, which defines “achieving sustainability and enriching communities” as its goal. In the past, the company sought to use its robust technologies to create innovative products. However, in the future, the company will also look to wield its technologies to solve societal issues, focusing mainly on overcoming global environmental challenges.
Epson has made significant strides to achieve this by raising awareness about societal issues like climate change. For example, in 2021, the company partnered with National Geographic to encourage businesses to ‘Turn Down the Heat’ in the fight against climate change and raise awareness around how conserving heat minimised humanity’s environmental impact.
To do this, National Geographic explorer Katey Walter Anthony released a video explaining how heat melts permafrost, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The campaign highlighted the importance of saving energy in the fight against global warming and how the numerous technologies businesses use consume significant quantities of energy daily.
The best way to slow the rate at which permafrost thaws in the Arctic is to conserve heat. So, Epson reminded businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact that they could switch to low energy consumption technology, like heat-free printers.
Interestingly, despite the reality of climate change, 60% of South Africans who took part in Epson’s Climate Barometer in 2021 said they were optimistic that the country would avert a climate crisis in their lifetime.
Epson surveyed 1,000 South Africans that year and found a potentially damaging gap between people’s perceptions of climate change and their understanding of the consequences. The survey illustrated the significant difference between people’s perceptions and the reality of the climate emergency the country is facing.
Epson’s barometer findings revealed that 27.9% of respondents believe science and technology can solve the climate change problem.
However, the survey also revealed early evidence that South Africans are accepting personal and collective responsibility to mitigate the effects of climate change, with the top three actions including reducing plastic use (63.3%), improving recycling habits (61.1%), and walking or cycling more often (60.3%).
Having discovered a climate reality deficit, Epson’s Climate Reality Barometer proves that awareness and action are equally crucial for addressing the country’s climate emergency.
80 years of LFP market leadership
In addition to addressing environmental issues, the global technology company is celebrating 80 years as a market leader in innovative printer and projector technology. Earlier this year, Epson launched its SureColor SC-T3100, SC-T3100N, and SC-T3100X large format printer (LFP) line at 22 Makro stores nationwide, becoming the first LFP product available from a mass retailer.
For larger prints, most professionals turn to commercial large-format print services. However, having a large format printer in-house can be a more cost-effective option to reduce production costs and streamline operations.
For example, the Epson SureColor SC-T3100 and SC-T3100N print technical and CAD drawings in great detail and offer exceptional throughput speed and a large output (up to 24 inches). It is an all-in-one solution and includes an automatic A4/A3 sheet feeder and tray.
The SureColor SC-T3100X is an all-in-one solution that includes an automatic A4/A3 sheet feeder packaged in a robust and compact design. It boasts a low total cost of ownership, impressive print accuracy, and is exceptionally reliable. This printer is ideal for producing posters, POS, or high print volume CAD/GIS prints due to the innovative Ink-Tank solution for larger ink capacity.
The partnership with mass retailers aims to meet the growing demand for accessible LFP products among architects, interior designers, engineers, and product designers, especially considering how printing requirements have evolved and more small business owners are operating out of home offices.
The global technology leader discovered that architects, plumbers, and designers who own A3 printers, spend as much as R80 (per print) at printing retailers to print in A1 when they need larger format prints for client presentations or working drawings.
Partnering with small businesses for eight decades… and more!
Over its years of operating in the country, Epson has always focused on helping the small business industry grow by partnering with SMEs – the backbone of the country’s economy.
A great example of this was Epson’s partnership with The Refillery, a stylish eco-friendly grocer offering a plastic-free, ‘weigh and pay’ shopping experience.
Labels are an essential factor for buyers deciding whether or not to purchase a product. However, for small businesses like The Refillery, outsourcing label printing can be expensive since most labels cost up to R50.
The grocer operates five stores across Gauteng, each with about 500 individual products. Because offering an exceptional shopping experience for customers is the business’ focus, the company must ensure shoppers can quickly identify what they’re looking for without having to search through countless products.
In addition, the business realised it had to create appealing labels without incurring the exorbitant costs and long lead times associated with outsourced printing.
Epson helped the founders grow their business and become the go-to store in the areas where it operates. Thanks to the Epson ColorWorks CW-C6000Ae, the company can now print labels in-house and has significantly reduced outsourcing costs and long lead times.
Furthermore, it can produce the specific number of labels it needs instead of printing thousands of unnecessary copies to meet printing suppliers’ minimum order requirements.
The Refillery has regained control of its printing designs, quality and quantities, while saving a fortune on costs. Most importantly, the company can now offer an exciting new range of bespoke products, including individual and corporate gifts. It can also print product labels with helpful information for customers, such as where the item comes from, its nutritional value, and how to prepare it – making it easier for them to find what they need.
Unlocking access to education for multiple generations
A recent survey by South Africa’s National Income Dynamics Study – Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) estimated that 750,000 South African learners aged seven to 17 left school in 2021.
The findings revealed that disruptions in school attendance limited learners’ ability to access any learning material at home, especially those in low-and middle-income communities, contributing to the high dropout rate.
To address this challenge, Epson partnered with Diebold, a multinational financial and retail technology company, and leading South African fibre provider, Vuma, to donate 204 EcoTank cartridge-free printers to 72 schools in Gauteng, the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. As a result, 13,000 learners accessed printed material in the classroom and at home.
This exciting initiative gave these schools the tools they need to provide learners who don’t have internet access at home with printed educational material to support their studies, so that they could remain in school. By offering sustainable technology to communities that need it most, Epson could help bridge the learning gap and ensure no child gets left behind.
This donation follows Epson’s recent partnership with Usain Bolt, now the face of an awareness campaign for its cartridge-free EcoTank printers, which offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution for South Africans.
“Epson is exceptionally grateful to the customers and stakeholders who have been a part of this eight-decade-long journey. Without them, we wouldn’t have relentlessly overcome the challenges we have. As we look on to the coming decades, we’re confident that together we can continue to help grow South Africa’s economy and enrich the country’s communities through sustainable technology,” concludes Thomas.