Océ withstood the fierce challenge of international competition and recently landed a 'Green IT' award, reflecting the company's efforts to help customers drive their business by adopting world-leading sustainability measures.
Described as a company "deserving recognition", Océ's international expertise in making a significant contribution to improving the IT industry's environmental performance has been singled out in the UK government-backed Green IT Awards 2010. Océ, an international leader in digital document management and delivery, scooped the "Editor's Choice" accolade at a black-tie event before 200 guests and VIPs at the Prince Albert Suite, London Zoo. Voters among the publication's 70,000 readership had also nominated Océ for the Green IT Magazine Product of the Year (the Océ PlotWave printing system) and the Recycling Scheme of the Year (Caring by Nature).
A company that builds in sustainability and delivers solutions for customers
Brian Wall, Editor of Green IT magazine, commended Océ for its sustainability ethos, which he pointed out had been a corporate cornerstone long before the environment became fashionable. At the awards ceremony, he said: "Océ is a company that builds in sustainability, and its staff apply that to how they deliver solutions to their customers. Océ deserves recognition and, in this case, the accolade of 'Editor's Choice'."
Computer and software companies, including giants like Microsoft and Dell, as well as other digital print manufacturers, were among those who also made it through to the finals. But Océ was the only winner in the "Editor's Choice" category. Green IT awards acknowledge the "outstanding environmental products, suppliers and projects of 2009", as well as highlight companies and teams that have made a "significant contribution to improving the IT industry's environmental performance".
Océ's Caring by Nature Program involves a series of initiatives that underlines its commitment to sustainability. Océ is focused on creating value for all stakeholders by realizing profitable, sustainable growth. Its strategy is aimed at optimizing business processes, strengthening its product portfolio and boosting distribution power. Océ's green ethos involves providing innovative print and document management products and services for professional environments, while acting as a responsible corporate citizen.
Sustainability initiatives developed across the world
Examples of Océ's own sustainability work include:
• Launching Océ Green Services to support eco-friendly management services
• Ten companies achieving ISO 140001 accreditation
• Reducing the CO2 footprint of its products. Cutting emissions of ozone, dust, toner and noise are integral to Océ product development
• Scaling down electricity consumption at Océ UK headquarters by 23 percent in a year
• Reducing paper consumption by 650 tons at an R&D department in Germany
• Setting up "green awards". For instance, Océ North America Wide Format Printing Systems division hosted the "Green Reprographer of the Year" Award
• Organizing the Océ Sustainability Week, a campaign providing employees with information about how they can make a positive impact on the environment
• Being featured by the Carbon Disclosure Project as part of its approach to climate change disclosure
"It's a recognized fact that a strong performance in sustainability contributes to operational efficiency as well as generating stronger product propositions and a more powerful market image. It is no coincidence that Océ embraced sustainability as part of its core proposition decades ago. Indeed, it is in the DNA of our company that has a long and proud history stretching back more than 130 years. Integrating sustainability into our offering has become one of our key priorities. We recognize our corporate duty to actively help manage our customers' environment," said Bron Curley, managing director of Océ UK Ltd.
The key sponsor of the Green IT Awards was the Department of Energy and Climate Change, responsible for UK energy policy and for tackling global climate change on behalf of the UK.
