Prime Minister backs e-Government excellence where Océ helps Southend council to award success
Brentwood, Essex, 17 February 2011— Océ UK’s effort to reduce Southend Borough Council’s carbon footprint by over 600 tons per year has won a top accolade in the e-Government National Awards, which had the backing of Prime Minister David Cameron.
The local authority was highly commended for its ICT Strategy 2010-13 in the section, “e-Government excellence: Sustainable, ‘green IT’ or ‘carbon-efficient’ services”. It was among the winners in the event in London, which is the UK’s most closely watched public technology awards event.
Speaking via video link in a pre-recorded message to finalists, the Prime Minister said: “These awards show clearly why you have put Britain at the forefront of e-government delivery in the world. We have the technology and skills, we have the innovation and, crucially, we have the people.”
David Cameron, who was addressing the country’s top public sector technology experts, leading civil servants and government ministers, who included representatives from Océ UK and Southend council, added that he “encouraged all digital specialists across the public sector to follow their good example and innovation”.
Southend council upgraded its print and software systems through Océ, as part of ways to reduce expenditure for its 165,000 residents and improve its environmental credentials. This included the local authority reducing its carbon footprint by 600 tons per year.
Nick Corrigan, Head of Customer Services for the authority, said: “In Océ we have selected a highly regarded technology supplier that is raising the bar in ethical innovation; it has advised us on how our productivity can be increased on ground level and has helped us have a positive effect on the environment.”
Stephen Lynch, Océ UK’s Director of Document Printing, said: “This award represents top-level recognition of our sustained efforts to help companies and organisations save costs and improve sustainability through world-class technology. It was interesting to be told that no other supplier in the printing industry was a winner in these independent awards that recognise innovation and excellence covering councils, central government departments and other public sector organisations.”
Further details from Colin Harding, of Shaw Communications, tel 01344 761208, 07730 435400
About Océ
Océ is one of the leading providers of document management and printing for professionals. The Océ offering includes office printing and copying systems, high speed digital production printers and wide format printing systems for both technical documentation and color display graphics. Océ is also a foremost supplier of document management outsourcing. Many of the Fortune Global 500 companies and leading commercial printers are Océ customers. The company was founded in 1877. With headquarters in Venlo, The Netherlands, Océ is active in over 100 countries and employs more than 20,000 people worldwide. Total revenues in fiscal 2010 amounted to approximately €2.7 billion. Océ is listed on Euronext in Amsterdam. For more information visit www.oce.com.
Océ and Canon: Stronger together
In 2010 Océ joined the Canon Group of companies with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, to create the global leader in the printing industry. Canon develops, manufactures and markets a growing line-up of copying machines, printers, cameras, optical and other products that meet a diverse range of customer needs. Canon employs more than 170,000 people worldwide. Global net sales in 2010 were approximately $46 billion. For more information visit www.canon.com.