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External Awards
Our A4 Color Printer's Product Packaging Received “WORLDSTAR 2024”
Our A4 color printer's product packaging has been awarded the "Logistics Award" at the "2023 Japan Packaging Contest" organized by the Japan Packaging Technology Association, as well as the "WORLDSTAR 2024" at the WORLDSTAR GLOBAL PACKAGING AWARDS organized by the World Packaging Organisation.
The Japan Packaging Contest is the largest competition in the Japanese packaging field, organized annually by the Japan Packaging Technology Association, with the aim of developing and promoting excellent packaging and its technologies. We have won this award for the 18th times, marking our fifth consecutive years of receiving it. Additionally, the WorldStar Contest is an internationally recognized competition where only product packaging that has won awards in national packaging contests can enter. The contest evaluates the environmental compatibility, cost-effectiveness, originality, and other aspects of packaging materials, and the "WORLDSTAR" award is given to particularly outstanding works. This recent award marks our 12th win overall and our second consecutive years receiving it.
In our efforts to replace the plastic foam cushioning materials used in the packaging of multifunction devices and printers with paper cushioning materials, we focused on improving the repeat cushioning performance, which had been a weakness of paper cushioning materials (the ability to cushion against multiple impacts). Unlike foam cushioning materials, paper cushioning lacks resilience, causing its cushioning performance to degrade after multiple impacts. To address this, we incorporated support shapes within the cardboard cushioning materials and implemented shapes in the pulp molded materials that are less prone to collapse or bending, thereby enhancing the repeat cushioning performance. As a result, in tests conducted to evaluate repeat cushioning performance, we achieved a reduction in impact values of up to 61% by dropping the packaging five times consecutively on all four sides, successfully facilitating the adoption of paper packaging.
Selected as "Leading Employer Germany" for Three Consecutive Years
The group company OPTIMAL SYSTEMS, which develops and sells ECM in Germany, has been selected as a "Leading Employer Germany" for three consecutive years. This recognition is based on an annual survey conducted by the © Institute of Research & Data Aggregation, which evaluates companies as employers across 160,000 businesses in Germany and awards outstanding companies the title of "Leading Employer."
The evaluation is based on over 200 data sources covering various aspects, including the attractiveness of the company, employee satisfaction, recruitment activities, diversity, and well-being. Being named a "Leading Employer" means that the company ranks in the top 1% in these evaluation criteria, highlighting the excellent work environment at OPTIMAL SYSTEMS.
In light of this award, OPTIMAL SYSTEMS will continue to strive for improved employee satisfaction and the creation of a comfortable working environment.
Selected as "Great Place to Work" for three consecutive years
U.S. Headquarters has been selected as a "Great Place to Work" for three consecutive years. This recognition is awarded to companies that provide an excellent employee experience. Great Place to Work is based on survey results from employees regarding various themes such as job satisfaction, workplace environment, and corporate culture, with companies that achieve high scores in the survey being selected. In this instance, 76% of our employees responded that our company is a great workplace. This result exceeds the average for U.S. companies by 19%.
The Vietnam Plant and the China Plant Have Obtained Certification through the RBA Audit
The Vietnam Plant achieved Gold Status in July 2023 through the RBA (Responsible Business Alliance) VAP audit, becoming the first in the group. Following that, the China Plant also obtained Silver Status in August 2023.
RBA is a corporate alliance aimed at supporting safe labor environments and workers' rights within the supply chain of the electronics industry. The code of conduct established by RBA sets standards to ensure that labor conditions are safe, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and the human rights, health, and safety of workers directly or indirectly involved in the business are protected. It also includes criteria to ensure that the manufacturing processes are responsible regarding environmental impact.
Each plant continues to leverage the skills and know-how cultivated over the years to communicate with various stakeholders, participate in social contribution activities, and tackle social issues. We are committed to ensuring the safety of labor environments and protecting workers' rights, and both the Vietnam and the China Plants are working towards obtaining RBA certification. We plan to actively pursue Certification across the entire group in the future.
By providing a workplace environment where people in Vietnam and China can utilize their capabilities, we aim to contribute to regional development and the realization of a sustainable society throughout the global supply chain.
The Global Headquarters, the Tamaki Plant, and the Hirakata Plant have received the Excellent Safe Driving Business Site Award
The Global Headquarters and the Tamaki Plant have received the Platinum Award, while the Hirakata Plant has received the Silver Award from the Automobile Safety Driving Center as Excellent Safe Driving Business Sites. This award is presented to those sites that have particularly implemented safe driving management practices among the establishments that applied for driving record certification.
At our company, we verify driving performance, including both personal and business use, through driving record certification when certifying company vehicle drivers. This award reflects the commitment to safe driving demonstrated by those seeking company vehicle driving qualifications as well as those commuting in private vehicles. Notably, The Global Headquarters and the Tamaki Plant, which received the Platinum Award, have been featured as a case study on the Automobile Safety Driving Center's website. This recognition enhances our trust and image not only within the company but also with our customers and partner companies.
We will continue our efforts toward safe driving and strive to contribute to building a safer society.
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Comment from Jana Blankenhagen, Head of Human Resources at OPTIMAL SYSTEMS:
"The award has come as a surprise and at the same time has given us confidence in our efforts. Our strengths lie in achieving work-life balance, a corporate culture that emphasizes teamwork symbolized by the OS spirit, and positive evaluations from management. We believe that these strengths stem from our commitment to listening to the voices of employees and prioritizing the Employee Journey*. Moving forward, we will focus on further strengthening aspects such as treatment, including benefits, and career development (providing growth opportunities)."
* A tool for specifically implementing the employee life cycle and analyzing employee experience.