Mergers, acquisitions and alliances from around the world: 7 June 2011
This week’s M&A activity is headed by Blue Star’s continued print service to the NZ Government plus Edwards Brothers global print alliance
Blue Star wins $10.8m print contract with NZ Govt
Continuing its print service arrangement with the NZ government, Blue Star Group NZ secures a three-year $10.8 million print contract with eight government agencies.
The agreement expected to save millions in printing costs represents a MSD led major buying group encompassing the NZ Police, the NZ Defence Force, StatisticsNZ, the Department of Building and Housing, Land Information NZ, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and Te Puni K?kiri (Ministry of M?ori Development.
David Jupe, Blue Star Group NZ CEO says the new contract means it is able to take the workflow tools it has developed to expand the way clients think about using documents in their organization.
“This is a major contract for Blue Star and allows us to bring the best of what we can offer in document creation, effective use of information and other transformative business tools to these agencies, for the ultimate benefit of the taxpayers of New Zealand,” said Jupe.
Global print alliance announced
Edwards Brothers announce the formation of a print partnership with market leaders in digital print technology to meet the need for a global manufacturing network with gps Global Print SolutionsSM.
Partners include Edwards Brothers, covering North and South America; CPI, covering Europe and Africa; Markono Print Media, covering Asia; and Griffin Press, covering Australia.
John Edwards, CEO of Edwards Brothers says it is a powerful concept, "there's one order, one invoice, and one file available globally for local production. So publishers anywhere in the world can work with their local partner and get the same guaranteed service, no matter the final destination of the book. With gps Global Print SolutionsSM, publishers will be able to intelligently and easily manage the global distribution of any title."
"EB's goal has always been to help publishers print the right quantity at the right time on the right press closest to final destination. The alliance helps to extend our reach beyond North America and serve customers who need to get product overseas without breaking the bank on shipping costs. It's a smart solution for us and for our customers."
The Economist maintains Wyndeham print
Securing a new three-year contract, Wyndeham Group announced it will continue to print The Economist magazine and associated publications.
Sharon Simpson, international production director at The Economist says the print market in the UK is currently under severe stress “and it is vital that we continue to provide our customers with a high level of consistent service.”
“We must continue to support our print partners to sustain our magazine businesses for the foreseeable future. We look forward to our continued partnership with the excellent team in Peterborough who have provided us with outstanding service for more than 20 years."
Wyndeham Peterborough specialises in producing high volume weekly publications using two Lithoman IV 64/72pp heatset web offset presses and a Ferag UniDrum gatherer-stitcher.
InnerWorkings offers print management to Morningstar
Managed print and promotional solutions provider, InnerWorkings has announced a print management agreement with Morningstar, an independent investment research provider.
Under the agreement, InnerWorkings will provide outsourced print procurement and print management services for Morningstar, including direct mail, charts and commercial printing.
InnerWorkings will assign a team of print production managers to be based at Morningstar's headquarters in Chicago to work with its product marketing groups.
Marc Collins, senior VP of enterprise solutions at InnerWorkings says it will leverage its proprietary technology to “maximize cost savings opportunities for Morningstar, and introduce reporting capabilities that greatly enhance the company's ability to monitor and adjust its spending on print production."
Heidelberg extends partnership with Wuppertal Uni
Development projects at the Germany-based University of Wuppertal have been extended by Heidelberg with the installation of a Speedmaster SM 52-4+L Anicolor UV press and a Suprasetter A 52 CtP platesetter.
Ulrich Jung, Professor at the University says the Speedmaster Anicolor UV press will enable them to offer pioneering training and research activities based on the very latest technology.
"Thanks to the user-friendly operation of the Speedmaster SM 52 Anicolor, our students will waste no time in mastering the machine," said Professor Jung.