Xerox Corp. of Norwalk has found that commitment to research and development is one way to help survive tough economic times, earning 609 U.S. utility patents in 2008.
The number is nearly a third increase from its previous year.
Sophie Vandebroek, president of the Xerox Innovation Group, said companies must keep the innovation pipeline flowing even in a lean economic climate or they will face huge product gaps in future years.
“You cannot sacrifice tomorrow to save today,” said Vandebroek. “Our investment in innovation guarantees Xerox leadership in our core business and creates opportunity to grow in new markets.
“It”™s also a source of pride for us,” she said. “More than 2,300 employees, past and present, have been granted five or more patents ”“ an extraordinary accomplishment.”
Discoveries among the 2008 patents included projects that helped reduce energy consumption, yield sharper image quality, higher reliability and reduced toner usage.
Included in the 2008 total are 18 patents granted to Dr. Peter Kazmaier, a chemist and manager of the New Materials Design group at the Xerox Research Centre in Canada.
Kazmaier is one of only 18 Xerox inventors to reach the elite 100-patent milestone, ending 2008 with 101.
In 2008, Xerox introduced 29 new products. The company currently holds more than 8,900 active patents in the U.S. and it has received more than 55,000 worldwide patents since the company was founded.
