NAB backs down on offshore print demands

The bank has agreed to build a co-operative working relationship with Printing Industries and Australian printers to help it meet its future print and communication needs. The move follows an intense grass roots campaign by the industry – promoted by Print21 – that resulted in NAB managers across Australia being inundated by complaints from printers angry at the requirement in a tender document that up to half of the bank's print should be sourced offshore. Many printers contacted Print21 to affirm they would move their banking business if the decision was not reversed.

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Philip Andersen, CEO for Printing Industries, has welcomed the decision, which followed a meeting in Melbourne with senior NAB management. Andersen claims the NAB officials put the view forward that it was never their intention to exclude Australian companies from the tendering process or to mandate overseas production.

“The officials reaffirmed the NAB's commitment to Australian suppliers and the local printing industry,” he says.

“They have told us that they want to continue developing relationships directly with Australian printing organisations. They consider this an important part of maintaining their customer/service provider link.”

Andersen says the NAB also agreed to work co-operatively with Printing Industries in order to keep the communication channels open with the Australian industry. The bank will also be speaking directly to the printers themselves to explore ways the industry could continue to fulfil the needs of NAB and other major corporations in the evolving print and communication areas.

“We welcome this decision and the confirmation that NAB will not mandate offshore sourced print in any future print tenders,” he says.

The NAB has also confirmed that any decisions on how the tender specifications are to be met will be made by the printing companies that are bidding for the work.

“They have emphasised that the bank wants to ensure it is able to take advantage of technical innovations, new services or service enhancement that may result from using Australian printing industry expertise. This may include logistic based solutions including inventory management and print and distribution services.”

Andersen says he is looking forward to formalising arrangements over coming weeks with the NAB, and to take the issue forward to ensure Australian printing industry expertise and advice become established at the forefront of the bank's print and communication strategy