PMP pushed from Pac Mag magazine printing

Australia’s second largest magazine print contract is up for grabs at the end of the month, with Pacific Magazines announcing that PMP will no longer hold the contract.

According to Seven Network’s magazine publishing arm, the decision to shift the multi-million dollar print contract follows a strategic review of the business. It will announce the new contract holder after the expiry date on 30 September.

Industry sources speculate that IPMG, the second largest printing group after PMP, is the front-runner to take on the valuable contract. CEO Steven Anstice is unavailable to comment.

The deal would come at a opportune time for the IPMG as it develops its new $90 million Warwick Farm facility, the centrepiece of which will be Australia's only 98-page manroland Litohoman heatset web press.

Despite the loss of the Australian printing contract PMP will still hold the distribution contract for the magazine through its Gordon and Gotch division. The contract still has around nine years to run. Across the Tasman, PMP maintains still prints PacMag’s titles in New Zealand through to 2012.

The shift highlights the ultra-competitiveness of heatset web printing sector. Magazines printed under the deal include New Idea, That’s Life and Girlfriend.