Thomas De La Rue & Company
History
Thomas De La Rue & Company, commonly known as De La Rue, is a British company specializing in the production of secure documents, including banknotes, passports, and tax stamps. The company was founded in 1821 by Thomas de la Rue, a printer and stationer from Guernsey. Initially, De La Rue focused on printing playing cards, but it quickly expanded its operations to include a variety of other printed products.
In 1831, De La Rue moved its operations to London, where it began to produce postage stamps and banknotes. The company's first major contract came in 1855 when it was awarded the contract to print the first adhesive postage stamps for the United Kingdom. This contract established De La Rue as a leading printer of secure documents, a position it has maintained to this day.
Products and Services
De La Rue's product portfolio includes banknotes, passports, tax stamps, and other security documents. The company is known for its expertise in anti-counterfeiting technologies, which are used to protect the integrity of its products. De La Rue's banknotes are used by central banks around the world, and its passports are used by numerous countries to ensure the security of their citizens' travel documents.
Banknotes
De La Rue is one of the world's leading producers of banknotes, with a history of innovation in the field. The company has developed a range of security features to protect banknotes from counterfeiting, including holograms, watermarks, and security threads. De La Rue's banknotes are used by central banks in over 140 countries, making it one of the most trusted names in the industry.
Passports
De La Rue produces passports for numerous countries, using advanced security features to protect against forgery and fraud. The company's passports are designed to meet the highest standards of security and durability, ensuring that they can withstand the rigors of international travel. De La Rue's expertise in passport production has made it a trusted partner for governments around the world.
Tax Stamps
De La Rue also produces tax stamps, which are used to authenticate and track the movement of taxable goods such as alcohol and tobacco. The company's tax stamps are designed to be highly secure, with a range of anti-counterfeiting features to prevent fraud. De La Rue's tax stamps are used by governments around the world to ensure the integrity of their tax systems.
Technology and Innovation
De La Rue is known for its commitment to innovation, with a focus on developing new technologies to enhance the security of its products. The company invests heavily in research and development, with a team of experts dedicated to creating new security features and improving existing ones.
Anti-Counterfeiting Technologies
De La Rue has developed a range of anti-counterfeiting technologies to protect its products from fraud. These include holograms, watermarks, security threads, and color-shifting inks. The company's banknotes and passports are designed to be highly secure, with multiple layers of protection to prevent counterfeiting.
Digital Solutions
In addition to its traditional printing operations, De La Rue has also developed a range of digital solutions to enhance the security of its products. These include digital authentication systems, which allow governments and businesses to verify the authenticity of documents and products. De La Rue's digital solutions are designed to complement its printed products, providing an additional layer of security.
Global Operations
De La Rue operates on a global scale, with production facilities and offices in multiple countries. The company's headquarters are located in Basingstoke, UK, but it also has significant operations in Malta, Kenya, and Sri Lanka. De La Rue's global presence allows it to serve customers around the world, providing secure documents and solutions to governments and businesses in over 140 countries.
Key Facilities
- **Basingstoke, UK**: The company's headquarters and main production facility, where it produces banknotes, passports, and other secure documents.
- **Malta**: A major production facility for banknotes and passports, serving customers in Europe and beyond.
- **Kenya**: A production facility focused on banknotes and tax stamps, serving customers in Africa.
- **Sri Lanka**: A production facility for banknotes and passports, serving customers in Asia.
Corporate Governance
De La Rue is a publicly traded company, listed on the London Stock Exchange. The company is governed by a board of directors, which is responsible for overseeing its operations and ensuring that it meets its strategic objectives. De La Rue's corporate governance framework is designed to ensure transparency and accountability, with a focus on maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct.
Board of Directors
The board of directors is responsible for setting the company's strategic direction and overseeing its operations. The board is composed of experienced professionals with expertise in a range of fields, including finance, security, and technology. The board is chaired by a non-executive chairman, who is responsible for leading the board and ensuring that it operates effectively.
Executive Management
The executive management team is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company. The team is led by the chief executive officer (CEO), who is responsible for implementing the company's strategy and ensuring that it meets its operational objectives. The executive management team includes senior executives with expertise in areas such as finance, operations, and technology.
Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
De La Rue is committed to sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR), with a focus on minimizing its environmental impact and contributing to the communities in which it operates. The company has implemented a range of initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, conserve resources, and support social and economic development.
Environmental Initiatives
De La Rue has implemented a range of environmental initiatives to reduce its impact on the environment. These include measures to reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and conserve water. The company is also committed to using sustainable materials in its products, and it works with suppliers to ensure that they meet its environmental standards.
Social Initiatives
De La Rue is committed to supporting the communities in which it operates, with a focus on education, health, and economic development. The company has implemented a range of social initiatives, including programs to support education and training, improve healthcare, and promote economic development. De La Rue also works with local communities to address social and economic challenges, and it supports a range of charitable organizations.