JUST OVER TWO YEARS ON FROM THE START OF THE CONTRACT WITH THE UK GOVERNMENT TO DESIGN AND PRODUCE THE UK EPASSPORT, DE LA RUE HAS REACHED AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE WITH THE 10 MILLIONTH BOOK PRODUCED THIS NOVEMBER.
London: November 26, 2012:
De La Rue’s UK passport is by any measure, one, if not the most secure identity document in the world.
Since it was awarded the contract in June 2009, De La Rue set about delivering the complete package that incorporated design, manufacture and personalisation. Based on a theme of ‘Scenic United Kingdom’, the passport captures images from across the UK and what sits behind these images are highly sophisticated layers of security features to ensure the book’s integrity. The bio-data page which contains the holder’s personal information and photograph is the most important in the book and is protected by additional, highly advanced security features.
Kevin Freeguard, Managing Director of De La Rue’s Solutions business that incorporates Identity Systems; ‘We are very proud to provide the UK ePassport and our challenge is always to stay one step ahead of the counterfeiters and not to become complacent in the delivery of this truly world class document. This contract is a good example of the public and private sectors working together to deliver a first class service for British passport holders.’
In addition to designing the book, De La Rue produces the pages containing the wide variety of complex security features and incorporates the personal bio-data, to provide unique identity documents for UK citizens at home and abroad. De La Rue works across a comprehensive UK regional office network to manage urgent passport requests and also manages the printing of British expatriates’ passports which were previously produced by the nearest issuing office to the country of residence.
ENDS
As the world’s largest integrated commercial banknote printer, De La Rue is a trusted partner of governments, central banks, issuing authorities and commercial organisations around the world.
The Group has in recent years been involved in the design or production of over 150 national currencies. De La Rue also produces a wide range of security documents including passports, driving licences, authentication labels and tax stamps. In addition, the Group manufactures sophisticated, high speed cash sorting and inspection equipment.
De La Rue also offers a range of specialist services and software solutions including government identity schemes, product authentication systems and cash management processing solutions.
De La Rue employs approximately 4,000 people worldwide and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. For further information, please contact Rob Hutchison, Group Director of Communications, De La Rue (rob.hutchison@uk.delarue.com).
