Paris and Amsterdam, April 7, 2009

 

AkzoNobel has signed a 5-year, multimillion euro contract extension with Orange Business Services for the supply of ICT services, including management and delivery of a world-wide data network connecting 1,000-plus sites in more than 55 countries. The main focus of the agreement is the integration of the European and Asian network sites of the British company Imperial Chemical Industries PLC (ICI), which was acquired by AkzoNobel last year.

 

This agreement is the result of a successful five-year collaboration between the chemical group and Orange Business Services. In 2007, AkzoNobel and Orange Business Services celebrated the successful integration of the 1,000 ^th site in the network, an unparalleled achievement within three years. The good results achieved are the reason for the extension of the contract. In anticipation of the contract expiry date, AkzoNobel decided at an early stage to proactively work with Orange Business Services to look at any savings that could be realized and at how AkzoNobel’s objectives could best be achieved.

 

Gerard Helmink, AkzoNobel CIO, states:  “With the acquisition of ICI, it became essential to gain synergy advantages as quickly as possible. In addition, the consolidation and centralization of applications is vital to give our organization an edge. Over the past few years, Orange Business Services has proven that it has the knowledge and expertise to implement such complex IT projects on a global scale and it has also turned out to be a stable, trustworthy partner.”

 

Jeroen van Brussel, vice president Benelux for Orange Business Services, is pleased with the five-year agreement:  “This extension proves that we are a trusted, reliable and experienced partner that can provide solutions to help companies find efficiencies and increase productivity in order to remain competitive through the economic crisis. We are very committed to living up to this trust and to increasing the value of the partnership with AkzoNobel even more.”

 

 

AkzoNobel is one of the world’s leading industrial corporations. AkzoNobel is the world’s largest producer of paints and coatings, and a major producer of specialty chemicals, supplying industries worldwide with quality ingredients for life’s essentials.  In 2008 its combined revenues totaled €15.4 billion. AkzoNobel is passionate about the introduction of new ideas and the development of sustainable solutions for its customers. AkzoNobel employs 60,000 people working in more than 80 countries across the world.

 

 

Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. With 123 million customers, the Orange brand now covers Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the Group operates. At the end of 2008, France Telecom had consolidated sales of 53.5 billion euros and a customer base of more than 182 million customers in 30 countries. These include 122 million mobile customers worldwide and 13 million broadband Internet (ADSL) customers in Europe. Orange is the number three mobile operator and the number one provider of broadband Internet services in Europe and, under the brand Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.

 

The Group's strategy, which is characterized by a strong focus on innovation, convergence and effective cost management, aims to establish Orange as an integrated operator and benchmark for new telecommunications services in Europe. Today the Group remains focused on its core activities as a network operator, while working to develop its position in new growth activities. To meet customer expectations, the Group strives to provide products and services that are simple and user-friendly, while maintaining a sustainable and responsible business model that can be adapted to the requirements of a fast-paced and changing eco-system.

 

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.