Blue Star scores University of Queensland print contract

Blue Star gains major contract as another Australian university makes the decision to outsource its print work.

In what has become a recent trend for tertiary institutions throughout Australia, the University of Queensland has appointed Blue Star to carry out its printing requirements.

This is not uncommon. Last year, the University of New South Wales outsourced its print work, while Print 21 revealed that the University of Sydney’s print centre was under threat as management made a push towards outsourcing, citing cost-cutting measures.

These decisions were met with fierce opposition from NIPPA, the in-plant printing association. A spokesperson from the group believes that there are in fact savings to be made from keeping print work in-house.

“You may as well keep the production services in-house where you can genuinely manage the process, set accountable service levels and, recent history tells us, at considerably less cost," said the spokesperson.

Professor Alan Rix, acting executive director (operations) at the University of Queensland, said that the decision would provide members with greater quality print and services.

“For UQ this is about ensuring students and staff have access to a high-quality, cost-effective service that meets their specialist needs,” he said.

“We made the decision to out-source after it became apparent in 2008 that the University would need to make substantial additional investments, in order to have a sustainable service operating at the standards required by the UQ community.”

Staff from the University of Queensland confirmed that Blue Star had already commenced printing university material, however management at Blue Star were unavailable to comment before this issue of Print 21 Online went to press.