Canon Germany relies on a new dynamic and hybrid work concept that is adapted to the respective activities of the employees. OTTOKIND’s ergonomic and customized workstation solutions for Canon play an important role.

Following an intensive planning phase, Canon Germany integrated the Willich service location into the headquarters site in Krefeld in January 2022. A new, modern working environment was created there for the almost 100 employees of the service and repair center on almost an entire floor across four wings, covering a total of over 1,300 square meters. The result is a “state of the art” service center for cameras and printers that benefits employees and customers alike. “From professionals for professionals” – in Krefeld, this Canon slogan is being taken to a new level. Several lens adjustment lanes up to 36 meters long are available here. The service center handles more than 50,000 cleaning, maintenance, repair and service procedures for photographers, dealers and end users from almost the entire EMEA region every year.

Ergonomic workstations with customized equipment

The entire Canon consumer portfolio is repaired and serviced in Krefeld, with each area and its special requirements being set up as a separate department. When it came to planning the workstations, the Krefeld-based company Lechner + Hayn, Canon’s partner for office furnishings, established contact with OTTOKIND. “A top recommendation,” says Tim Rademakers, Team Leader Repair Center Engineers at Canon. “We knew what was needed, but then, in excellent cooperation with Frank Näser, our specialist consultant at OTTOKIND, we developed a tailor-made solution and quickly received a sample, which was then further adapted to our individual needs.” Photorealistic representations of the furnishings were produced at the planning stage and made available to the Canon team for the best possible orientation.

In the service center, 40 ergonomic height-adjustable work tables from OTTOKIND were set up, which were modified according to Canon requirements and equipped with customizations and applications. For example, the tables have a power strip with emergency stop switch, monitor holders with ball joint, special rails for mounting brackets, extra-large base cabinets and other special features such as non-slip ESD mats, which dissipate potential voltage peaks and thus protect the micro-components being worked on. In addition to the dimmable LED lighting unit mounted overhead, which ensures glare-free light with a special microprismatic screen, employees also praise the electric height adjustment of the tables. “We used to have to adapt to the table, now the table adapts to us,” says Tim Rademakers happily.

The right table for every department

While the basic equipment and ergonomic standards are identical for all work tables, there are special solutions tailored to the requirements of the individual departments. For example, individual tables are used in the photography department with SLR and system cameras, lenses and binoculars. In the Cinema + Broadcast department with the heavy lenses for TV cameras, two tables were connected across the corner in an L-shape, which can be adjusted synchronously in height. The office area for the large multifunctional devices, printers and scanners, on the other hand, has double tables to provide the necessary work surfaces. The large work trolleys and special turntables on the tables, which allow the heavy office products to be moved effortlessly into the optimum working position, are appreciated by the employees. These suggestions also came from OTTOKIND, as did useful tips and recommendations for the safe handling of particularly heavy equipment. “OTTOKIND provided top advice in every detail, especially when it came to ergonomics and occupational safety,” says Tim Rademakers.

“Ergonomics at the workplace means much more than just a height-adjustable desk and a comfortable chair,” adds OTTOKIND consultant Näser about the project in Krefeld. “Together with Canon, we were able to implement a holistic approach that focuses on the entire workplace organization and aims for an optimal workflow. Last but not least, this ergonomic workplace concept adapts to the individual needs of the employees and protects them from health problems.”