August 28, 2003 -- Oce (UK) Limited has appointed two new Service Directors as part of its restructuring process, with the intention of bringing a closer working relationship between its Business Units and Service operation. Alan Ballard becomes Digital Document Systems (DDS) Service Director, reporting to the Business Unit Director Bron Curley. Archie Devlin performs the same service role for the Wide Format Printing Systems (WFPS) unit, reporting to its director, Nick Klitsie. The changes follow the retirement of Jim Duffy, formerly the overall Services Director at Océ (UK) Ltd. Both of the new appointees face significant challenges in shaping Océ’s service capability to match the company’s business objectives. One of these is to concentrate on selling more high-volume digital printing systems, while moving away from the low-volume and analogue markets. For Alan Ballard this will mean a significant change to operational infrastructures within DDS service, as there will be fewer machines in the field, but higher print volumes from these machines. Says Ballard: “One of our main objectives is the improved utilisation and efficiency of our people through better working processes and the greater optimisation of existing systems and tools. Sensible management of our cost base is essential for the future. “This goes hand in hand with the need to improve customer satisfaction levels by focusing on the areas which matter most to our clients.” For Devlin, the integration of inkjet technology and the former Gretag (display graphics) products into WFPS provides its own challenges. He says: “We will pay particular attention to our spare part disciplines and provide clients with an outstanding personal service. Improving the levels of customer satisfaction in this segment remains a top priority.” Devlin has been a one-company man since joining the then Ozalid Group in 1966 as a technician. Océ bought Ozalid during the 1980s. He has held a succession of service managerial positions, culminating in this new appointment. Devlin has been married for 37 years, and has two married children. At the age of 57 he still regularly plays 5-a-side football. Ballard joined Océ from Itek Colour Graphics in 1991. He has worked his way up through various service management and director-level positions to his new post. A graduate in Modern Languages, Ballard is married with two young children, and enjoys drawing portraits and following the fortunes of Chelsea Football Club.