UXBRIDGE – The Co-operative Group, the UK’s fifth largest retail organisation, has selected Xerox to manage the print fleet across its head office complex in Manchester, including nearly fifty Xerox ColorQube 9200 series multifunction systems, in order to limit the environmental impact of its print and reduce costs. The deal is valued at circa 2m.

Xerox will work with the Co-operative to introduce an enhanced print strategy supported by specially tailored software designed to reduce unnecessary office print. The move is expected to save the Co-operative an estimated 600,000 per year.

The retail giant has been widely recognised for its commitment to the environment, winning a number of high profile accolades for its environmental and sustainability policies. This latest move will see Xerox manage 100 print devices that serve in excess of 2,500 head office staff across seven head office buildings in Manchester.

Through continuous management of the print environment and device consolidation, Xerox will reduce the Co-operative’s print volume while simultaneously limiting the organisation’s paper and ink usage. Xerox will also back up the Co-operative’s commitment to developing sustainability practices by using tools such as Xerox’s sustainability calculator, to help monitor and reduce energy use by up to 20 per cent.

To further support its commitment to responsible printing, the Co-operative will install Xerox ColorQube 9200 series multifunction systems, the world’s first high-speed solid ink multifunction system. The system uses Xerox’s proprietary solid ink technology to lower the environmental impact of office printing. The cartridge-free design generates 90 percent less supplies waste and reduces the effects of manufacturing and transportation on the environment.

Kevin Foley, resource and planning manager at the Co-operative Group said: “This deal brings with it two major benefits - it means major cost savings for our business and at the same time, it helps our environmental agenda. Thanks to the advanced functionality which the multifunction systems will provide, we anticipate a reduction in our printer numbers from over 700 to 100 devices, ensuring consistent standards in output in addition to the improved sharing of resources across the estate.”

Peter Romaine, director and general manager, Xerox Global Services, Xerox UK said: ”The Co-operative is renowned for its ability to create profit responsibly and we are pleased that Xerox is able to contribute to this strategy. The Co-operative implementation is a clear demonstration of best practice in addressing print environment challenges. The Co-operative is set to reduce print volumes significantly, the financial cost of print and the environmental impact of its printing. It is a superb example of what can be achieved when the print environment is reviewed and managed responsibly.”

About Xerox UK
Xerox UK, the UK operation of Xerox Corporation, markets a comprehensive range of Xerox products, solutions and services, as well as associated supplies and software. Its offerings are focused on three main areas: offices from small to large, production print and graphic arts environments, and services that include consulting, systems design and management, and document outsourcing. Through ACS, A Xerox Company, which Xerox acquired in February 2010, Xerox also offers extensive business process outsourcing and IT outsourcing services, including data processing, HR benefits management, finance support, and customer relationship management services for commercial and government organisations worldwide.

Xerox also has manufacturing and logistics operations in Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands, and a research and development facility (Xerox Research Centre Europe) in Grenoble, France. For more information visit, www.xerox.com Xerox is a trademark of Xerox Corporation. All non-Xerox brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Prices, features, specifications, capabilities, appearance and availability of Xerox products and services are subject to change without notice.

About the Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group stands apart from other major retailers in the UK as a business which is owned, not by a small group of shareholders, but by more than five million consumers. With core interests in food, financial services, travel, pharmacy, funerals and farms, it has an annual turnover of 14 billion, employs 123,000 staff and operates over 5,000 retail trading outlets handling more than 20 million weekly transactions.

Following the acquisition of the Somerfield supermarket chain in March 2009, The Co-operative Food is the fifth largest food retailer. The Co-operative Financial Services is one of the largest and most diversified financial mutual businesses, operating The Co-operative Bank, The Co-operative Insurance and Britannia.

The Co-operative is the UK’s number one provider of funeral services, the third largest retail pharmacy chain, a leading travel retailer, supplying the travel needs of more than three million people annually, and is the UK’s largest farmer.

Among its other businesses are The Co-operative Motor Group, The Co-operative Electrical Shop and The Co-operative Legal Services.

Customer Contact:
For information on Xerox services and products, call 0870 873 3873 or visit www.xerox.co.uk

Media Contact
Claire Jones, Grayling, T: +44 (0) 207 592 7923
e-mail: claire.jones@grayling.com Sonia Panchal, Xerox Europe, T: +44 (0) 1895 842 877
email: sonia.panchal@xerox.com