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Canon already has a close strategic partnership with I.R.I.S. Group, developed over a number of years, which was strengthened in July 2009 when Canon acquired a 17% stake in the company. Bringing I.R.I.S. Group into the Canon Group will allow both companies to cooperate more closely in developing a range of technology solutions to be able to better serve their customers in the business environment. The bid is part of Canon’s plan to further develop its long standing strategy to offer its customers end-to-end office solutions that complement its current world class solutions portfolio and to develop a more consultancy based sales approach. Rokus van Iperen, President & CEO, Canon Europe, Middle East and Africa, explains: “We are excited about this new phase in our relationship with I.R.I.S. Group and looking forward to bringing such a talented and innovative company into the Canon Group. Canon has identified business solutions and professional services as important focus areas for future growth and we believe this investment will bring long term opportunities to build on our success in the solutions and consultancy businesses to date. We will be working closely with I.R.I.S. Group, as a stand-alone company, to deliver more advanced solutions and services and greater customer value.” Pierre de Muelenaere, CEO, I.R.I.S. Group, comments: “We are very pleased to have reached this important milestone for I.R.I.S. Group, and proud that Canon intends to bring our company within the Canon group. The entire board of I.R.I.S. Group fully supports this bid and we are committed to making this transition a success, which we believe will be to the benefit of our customers and all our stakeholders.” Full details of the bid will be covered in the offer prospectus and the memorandum in reply prepared by the board of I.R.I.S. Group that will be published on the website of I.R.I.S. Group and of ING Belgium following approval thereof by the FSMA, the Belgian financial markets regulator. The prospectus will be also available free of charge by telephone from ING Belgium at+32 2 464.60.02 (French) or +32 2 464 60 04 (English). Reference is also made to the official announcement of the bid made by the FSMA on its website for further details on the bid. About I.R.I.S. Group
I.R.I.S.’ mission is to increase our customers’ productivity and knowledge through helping them better manage their documents, data and information. I.R.I.S. Products & Technologies develops technologies and products for Intelligent Document Recognition and markets its portfolio on a worldwide basis through strong partnerships. I.R.I.S. Professional Solutions enables companies and administrations to find in one company the innovative expertise and hi‐tech solutions to efficiently manage documents, information flows and IT infrastructure. I.R.I.S. has more than 500 employees based in Louvain-la-Neuve, Vilvoorde and Brasschaat (Belgium), Orly (France), Windhof (Luxemburg), Amstelveen and Meerssen (The Netherlands), Aachen (Germany), Delray Beach (USA), Hong-Kong (China) ), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Oslo (Norway). www.iriscorporate.com
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