News

TPF Group’s ongoing restructure of its production capacity has continued with plans to close NPM, the Derby-based firm it bought out of administration in March.

A review is underway over the transfer of the firm’s work to TPF’s Northampton sites, which are currently undergoing a revamp with around £13m of investment.

TPF bought direct mail firm NPM and stationery printer Reelform in March, after NPM Group, the parent group of both, went into administration.

Steve Brundle, chief exec­utive of TPF Group, said the closure of the site and the transfer of its work to North­ampton would not lead to any job cuts among its 23 staff.

“The net result of this move will be no reduction in staff numbers, no change in the total number of sites and even greater efficiency.”

He said that there was “always an element of risk” when buying a company out of administration, and that his firm had made the acquisition “with our eyes open”.

“In the case of Reelform, everything has worked out exactly as we’d hoped and we’re even looking for an additional building as the business is expanding so fast.

“With NPM it was quickly clear that some radical changes were needed as the business simply isn’t sustainable on a standalone basis.”

News of the planned transfer of operations comes as the group continues to seek a buyer for its Wace operation in Swindon, which may also close if no buyer is found. The site’s workforce of around 70 staff is currently in consultation with TPF over the likely shut-down.

Separately, TPF this week announced the first of what it promises to be a series of high-profile contract wins with a two-year print management deal for recruitment firm Manpower.

TPF, which also works for Manpower sub­sidiary Right Management, has replaced incumbent AccessPlus and will provide a range of services including print, direct mail, warehousing and distribution.

Manpower procurement manager Androulla Sofroniou said: “TPF were the standout supplier in a very competitive pitch process. We’ve no doubt they’ll take our approach to print-related procurement to a whole new level.”