Trumbull, CT – Océ, an international leader in digital document management, has announced the winner of its second annual, “Green Reprographer of the Year” award during the IRgA 2009 Annual Convention and Trade Show held April 29-May 1 in Pittsburgh, PA. Blair Graphics, a leading California-based innovator in the reprographics industry for more than 50 years, was selected as the winner from a pool of qualified entrants who submitted applications via Océ’s website. Applicants outlined their achievements in the area of green business practices and explained how these efforts have assisted their customers to meet their own sustainability goals.
 
“In recognition of their substantial efforts to promote sustainability via the products used in their business operations, the services provided to their customers and internal employee programs, we are proud to announce that Blair Graphics is the winner of Océ’s second annual ‘Green Reprographer of the Year’ award,” said Sal Sheikh, Vice President of Marketing, Wide Format Printing Systems division of Océ North America. "We received numerous entries for this award, showcasing the relevance today’s reprographers place on environmentally friendly business practices. Océ can help reprographers, and their customers, reach their sustainability goals, through environmentally conscious products that also adhere to the quality and reliability for which Océ is recognized.”
 
An independent panel of judges, including Denise Gustavson, Editor of Wide-Format Imaging magazine, Dave Barista, Managing Editor of Building Design & Construction magazine, and Ed Avis, principal of Ed Avis Associates, a communications firm specializing in the imaging industry, and author of The  Green Reprographics Handbook, selected Blair Graphics as the winner based on its enterprise-wide dedication to sustainability.
 
An American Reprographics Company (ARC) reprographer, Blair Graphics has incorporated sustainability into nearly every aspect of its business operations. The company uses Océ recycled paper for printing construction and other large format black & white and color documents (Océ 45-111R recycled paper). They also offer small format document printing on recycled paper. The company manufactures wrapped covers on recycled paper for wrapping of prints around a chip-board core instead of wrapping prints with a petroleum-based product. The majority of its mounting substrates are made from recycled materials, and Blair Graphics uses a rice-based adhesive for mounting onto substrates.
 
In January 2009, Blair Graphics procured an Océ ColorWave® 600 printer, which further supports their sustainability goals by producing no ozone, odor, or fine powder emissions, employing reusable packaging, and printing color images on recycled bond paper. The company has been instrumental in promoting the benefits of this new large format color printing system to customers who look to certify their projects through the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Certification Program.
 
“From the products it offers and the services it provides to the policies that company management have put into place regarding its employees and how its facilities are run, Blair Graphics gets it. They understand that sustainability is a process and a journey and that every piece is required to make up the whole and arrive at the end goal of a green and sustainable business,” said award judge Denise Gustavson.
 
In that spirit, Blair Graphics has strived to think outside the box to embrace new applications and services that enable their customers to print only what they need when they need it. They promote online digital services for sending files to their shop electronically rather than using a driver to pick-up content. They provide online document management and Invitation to Bid services like the PlanWell® online plan room and BidCaster™ and Sub-Hub software.
 
Furthermore, Blair Graphics continues their sustainability push to lower carbon emissions by offering the innovative new ishipdocs™ program, which facilitates the distribution and local printing and delivery of documents nearly anywhere in the world. They also offer onsite services and “Easy Print” solutions that clients can leverage to download and print files in their own offices, eliminating the need for printing at Blair Graphics and delivery of prints.
 
Internally, Blair Graphics adheres to a number of green practices to reduce the company’s impact on the environment – from updating all fixtures with energy-efficient bulbs that save an estimated 19,955 kWh of energy and 7,675 kW of power annually, to turning off all non-used power sources like A/C after hours, to installing motion sensor light switches and water-filtration systems to reduce bottled water consumption. To reduce the company’s carbon footprint, their delivery fleet consists of 45% hybrid and 45% fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles. Employees are encouraged to communicate electronically, and the company has eliminated the use of fax cover sheets, posts a single memo for all employees and adheres to only two-sided copying when copying is needed.
 
Employees of Blair Graphics are encouraged to support the company’s sustainability goals and consider alternate commute options. A “Share the Ride” computer match program helps reduce single-ride commutes plus provides convenient parking options. Discounted bus passes are also available. Nearly 25% of employees either “Share the Ride,” use public transportation, bike or walk to work. In addition, the company adheres to a detailed recycling program throughout the facility.
 
Blair Graphics even provides comprehensive employee training regarding company policies and how to better reduce consumption of resource-intensive goods. Additionally, they encourage employees through their employee suggestion program to continually offer new ideas on how the company can eliminate waste and further reduce environmental impact, specially recognizing those whose suggestions are implemented.
 
Blair Graphics participates in several dedicated “green” programs and causes, including:
Providing clients with recycle bins
Sponsoring and participating in eco-friendly events like Heal The Bay®
·         Donating signage printed on biodegradable material mounted on recycled boards to the USGBC Water Garden Construction event
·         Supporting L.A.’s Chapter of the USGBC’s yearly fund raiser
·         Supporting the L.A. Conservancy in all of its functions
·         Active involvement in the Sustainable Works Business Greening Program
 
“Blair Graphics has demonstrated a thorough commitment to being green, from building a low-emission delivery fleet to encouraging a wide range of green behaviors in its employees,” said award judge, Ed Avis. “Blair has also taken its commitment an important step further by supporting many green-oriented organizations, such as Heal the Bay and Sustainable Works Business Greening Program.”