News
Sainsbury’s retenders £20m print contract
Sainsbury’s is on the verge of launching its first major print tender since 2005, as the multi-million pound contract held by Communisis for almost a decade goes back up for grabs.
The supermarket giant is expected to send out Invitations to Tender (ITT) to a number of print management companies this week, all of whom will be keen to poach what is understood to be a £20m a year contract.
The tender process, which is likely to last for at least six months, is rumoured to be being co-managed by former Charterhouse managing director Mike Newman. Newman could not be reached for comment.
The contract, which includes point-of-sale material for almost 800 stores, as well as direct mail including club mailings, national leaflet drops and trigger and welcome packs, was first awarded to Centurion in 1999.
Sainsbury’s and Communisis were unable to comment as PrintWeek went to press.
However, one industry source suggested that Communisis would face stiff competition to secure its third consecutive extension.
The source said: “There could well be merit in dual or even triple-sourcing the service. There are very few economies of scale from putting all your eggs in one basket and with a rapidly changing market having a variety of suppliers, who all know you, could be the safest option.”
SAINSBURY'S PM TIMELINE
March 2008 Invitations to Tender sent out
April 2005 Sainsbury’s signs a two-year extension
November 2002 Sainsbury’s signs extension to deal
1999 Sainsbury’s first hands deal to Centurion
Sainsbury’s: contract includes PoS, DM and leaflet drops
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Comments
Colin Thompson - 27 March 2008
This contract is ideal for a `true` Print Management Programme`. Now that Communisis do not operate in the Print Management arena this is an opportunity for one of the `true` Print Management organisations to take on board a `blue-chip` customer.
The Hidden overhead that will be affecting `your` business and `every` business in the world!
What is `The Print Management Service Programme`?
My definition of a Print Management Service, Documents and Forms are `the systematic process of increasing productivity and minimising errors in information capture, transmission and recovery through the use of work flow analysis and graphic design techniques; providing administration control; reducing procurement, storage, distribution and costs through standardisation; and ensuring the adequacy, business as well as legal, of all records and printed material`.
Even with a definition as long as that, explaining a Print Management Service , Documents and Forms and is never easy. This is especially true when the term `Documents Management`, `Forms Management` and `Print Management` are constantly used and abused. The concept has often been a way for vendors to sell more printing. But, for the `true` professional person and organisation working with their customer there is only a win, win formula for both parties.
Colin Thompson
Cavendish
www.cavendish-mr.org.uk
Matthew Parker - 27 March 2008
I totally agreee with Colin's assessment of what Sainsburys should seek. Let us hope that they understand this need and expect companies to demonstrate their true capability and actual tried and tested methedologies and processes rather than talking the talk and making vague promises.
Matthew Parker
www.printandprocurement.com
elaine pooke - 27 March 2008
Why print management!
That money could be more useful in the print manufactoring industry - Not administration.
Annon.....
Steve Vaughan - 28 March 2008
It's curious that Mr Thompson thinks that Communisis "does not operate in the Print Management arena". Communisis very much operates in the Print Management arena, with around half our revenue coming from those activities in 2007.
I agree with him that Print Management needs to address many of the issues that he describes - considering how to achieve the best return on investment from print- and document-related activities. This includes buying less print when possible, using it more effectively and efficiently, and considering how to improve business processes for our customers.
That's exactly what I mean when I say that Print Management as we have known it in the past is dead - we need to be able to offer something more relevant to customers' needs. Communisis is very much able to do that.
Colin Thompson - 28 March 2008
Steve, Thank you for sharing the Communisis view.
Print/Documents/Forms are a part of every companies business whether provided in house or from a vendor or by a combination of the two. A `Print Management Service Programme` should be an essential part of every companies business as the third dimension of control for your company.
The `True` Print Management Programme covers many aspects and you need the `right` people with skills/experience to operate this programme to give you a ROI and the `Customer` more than price savings! If you are interested, please communicate with me and I will share my knowledge with you in this sector.
Colin Thompson was presented by the DTI an award for Information and Manufacturing Technology for his contribution to innovation and new systems. Also, when Managing Director, Researched, Designed and Implemented the Document Management Service at Forms UK plc now re-named Etrinsic plc and at W H Smith PLC Business Services Division with many of there customers whom saved enormous amounts of money, people time and implemented powerful reporting systems that saved millions of pounds.
Fresh thinking requires a vision to see beyond the conventional. When you combine excellent quality with outstanding value for money you will begin to realise the full potential of creative and well presented business solutions. Together, the sky`s the limit. Have passion to learn and let the knowledge help you to be successful in life.
Colin Thompson
Cavendish
DDL: 0121 244 0306
email:colin@cavendish-mr.org.uk
www.cavendish-mr.org.uk
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