Inkjet & Digital Printing
Xerox solid ink technology helps Marks & Spencer with Plan A commitments
Tuesday 20. October 2009 - 1,050 Xerox Phaser 8560 colour printers installed across all UK stores as part of M&S Plan A initiative; Significant cost reductions from reduced energy consumption and lower cost colour printing
UK retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has selected Xerox technology as part of its drive to combat the effects of climate change and reduce waste through its five year eco-plan Plan A. Xeroxs environmentally friendly solid ink printers are helping to support M&S Plan A commitments.
M&S has installed 1,050 Xerox Phaser 8560 colour printers using Xeroxs patented solid ink technology across all 602 M&S stores nationwide. The devices are used primarily for printing high quality coloured shelf edge labels.
Crucially for M&S, the solid ink sticks used in the printers help to reduce waste output significantly. Cartridge-free, with minimal packaging, solid ink sticks equate to a 90 per cent reduction in landfill per device. In addition, a study1 estimates that solid ink printing uses nine percent less lifecycle energy and produces 10 percent fewer greenhouse gases than a comparable laser device.
Xeroxs solid ink technology also makes colour printing for M&S a lower cost solution than competing laser technology. The solid ink imaging process is also highly efficient, producing nearly 100 per cent ink-to-page transfer which results in superior quality printing, a fundamental requirement for M&S.
Xerox has also installed its award winning device management software CentreWare Web to help M&S monitor and measure print activity and provide pro-active fleet monitoring and reporting.
As a result of M&Ss Plan A, and Xeroxs own environmental commitments, both companies have been listed highly in the latest ethical rankings from Geneva-based Covalence, taking 4th and 5th places respectively.
Carmel McQuaid, M&S Sustainable Development Manager, said, “Were very pleased with the new Xerox printers installed across the network of UK stores. Not only are the devices providing us with significant cost savings, vital at this time of economic instability, but they are helping us with the successful execution of Plan A.”
Mark Duffelen, director and general manager, Office Group, Xerox UK commented, “Xerox is deeply committed to helping companies like M&S become more effective, efficient and sustainable. We were able to provide M&S with a colour solution without any compromise on cost or performance. Plan A is the perfect reflection of Xeroxs own drive towards more environmentally friendly business practices. As such, its a great accolade for both our companies to be recognised by Covalence.”