Venlo-based printer and photocopier maker Océ booked a net loss of €23m in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with a small profit of €1m in the same period in 2008.

Sales were down 15% to €683m. Over 2009 as a whole, Océ booked a loss of €47m, the company said in a statement.
Japanese electronics company Canon made a €730m bid for Océ in November but two major shareholders who own a combined 13% of the shares have refused to tender their stakes. Océ said on Tuesday it is still behind the bid because it is in the interests of workers, shareholders and customers.