History of Océ in Australia
Generations of dedicated people form the basis and history and existence of Océ
Océ doesn't make a habit of looking back. The future, all that lies ahead of us, with its new opportunities and challenges, fascinates us far more. And it's precisely because of this attitude that the Océ Group, founded in the Netherlands, was able to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2002.
At a local level, we are proud of the fact that Océ-Australia Limited plays a unique role in the history of the Océ Group. Technically, Océ Australia is older than the parent company, being a continuation of 'Crosby' founded in 1853.
Our Australian history
Océ was first officially represented in Australia in the 1940s by Basil Harston. Later Harston Sensitising Company was formed in January 1950, but it was not until August 1955 that a formal licence agreement was entered into with Océ.
In November 1963, William Crosby (Holdings) Ltd, which was founded in 1853 in Tasmania, with Océ's tacit approval, purchased Harston Sensitising and re-named it Crosby Sensitising Pty Ltd.
In October 1974, William Crosby (Holdings) Ltd changed its name to Océ-Crosby Ltd, then in May 1978, as part of the worldwide take over by Océ of the Ozalid Group of Companies, Océ-Crosby Ltd took over Ozapaper Limited and merged it with Crosby Sensitising Pty Ltd. The result of this merger was the formation of a company called Océ-Reprographics Limited, which is still a subsidiary company of Océ-Australia Limited.