Fujitsu moves to greener pastures

Fujitsu Australia Limited’s new Victorian Headquarters, which are located in one of Melbourne’s newest buildings known as The Gauge, was officially opened on Thursday September 4th by the Premier of Victoria, The Hon. John Brumby. Fujitsu is the first ICT company in Victoria to move into a 6 Star Green Star Rated- Office Design Certified building. This move will help minimise Fujitsu’s carbon footprint.

“It is with great pride that we officially open our new office at The Gauge. Our move into this building is a true reflection of our commitment to innovation and sustainability,” said Mr Rod Vawdrey, Chief Executive Officer of Fujitsu.

Over 300 employees have relocated to this evolutionary workplace designed, developed and constructed by Lend Lease. Located at 825 Bourke Street, Victoria Harbour in Docklands, The Gauge is one of only three 6 Star Green Star Rated buildings in Melbourne - the highest environmental rating able to be achieved by an office building in the commercial property sector. Fujitsu now leases four floors of the six storey office development. The 10,363 square metre development sets a new benchmark in workplace innovation and represents the most progressive and sustainable office building in the Australian market.

Fujitsu CEO, Rod Vawdrey said that minimising the company’s carbon footprint is a key priority for Fujitsu and these new premises provide a workplace that can help to deliver on this commitment.

“We are proud to join Lend Lease and other prominent corporations in being part of a precinct that will be a fantastic extension to the City. I believe the revitalisation of the Docklands precinct, and The Gauge is a fine example of a building that will serve Melbourne into the future,” said Mr Mike Inge, Fujitsu General Manager – Southern Region.

“We have found a great place for our people to work. This new work environment will inspire and enhance collaboration among our staff, driving our distinct culture in years to come,” he said.

These premises offer not just a great outlook and convenient amenities, but inclusions such as bike racks, lockers, showers, barbecue areas and a living green wall that greets visitors upon entry along with a state of the art Digital Media Centre. The open plan style fosters business growth and performance and has the flexibility to respond to changing organisational needs.

To mark and honour Fujitsu’s milestone opening, The Premier of Victoria ceremoniously conducted ‘Kagami Biraki’, a traditional Japanese sake ceremony symbolising a new beginning.

“Fujitsu has a lengthy and notable environmental record and today’s opening marks an important milestone in our local journey to achieving Fujitsu’s global sustainability goals,” Mr Vawdrey said.

In 1993, Fujitsu established its Environmental Protection Program, which outlines the company’s approach to environmental activities around four key areas - products, factories, solutions and people. In recognition of the program, Fujitsu has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index every year since its inception in 1999.

In March this year, Fujitsu Limited became the first Japanese company to take a leadership role as a Contributor Member of The Green Grid, the global consortium dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in data centres and business computing ecosystems.

In less than a year, the “Green IT – Delivering Business Sustainability” thought leadership paper and offering, has evolved into a national sustainability practice.

“Fujitsu accepts and acts in a broader role, from our wholehearted participation in the AIIA / Sustainability Victoria ByteBack Australia computer recycling service (Fujitsu pays for the collection and processing of its products, relieving taxpayers of the burden), to being the first company to commercially introduce notebook PC models featuring housings made with an environmentally friendly bio-based plastic that require less oil to produce, we are committed to making every activity green,” said Mr Vawdrey.