PRINT FRANCHISEE
“I think so, yes. It narrows the supply base down to a number of experts, who must remain competitive. It means public sector organisations don’t waste time with companies that can’t produce the work or are uncompetitive. Open tenders can often be laborious, time consuming and inefficient. Through frameworks, you have a supply base that can be kept alert and will ensure value for money for the buyer. It ensures complacency won’t creep in because, although you are a preferred contractor, you have to ensure quality and price remain competitive.” Providing its run properly and it works it is the best way that public sector buyers will get value for money.
John White
Managing director
AlphaGraphics York and Sheffield
BI PRINTER
“Yes. Being on anybody’s framework list is a good thing, as long as it’s not the liquidators’, so we are in favour of it. If you are a good firm, producing quality work at a fair price, then the more lists the better. The problems arise when those on the list are used to an
auction situation – fair works both ways. As far as Alito are concerned, any opportunity to open our doors to a new client base is worthwhile, and once they see we are best in class, there is comfort all round. Anybody can respond to a tender, but you have to back it up. Continued investment must show a return.”
David Collins
Sales and marketing director
Alito Colour Group
COMMERCIAL PRINTER
“We have some experience of framework agreements. I would say they are good in so far as they set
out how the two will work together. To a certain degree, it’s a logical
and sensible way to operate. To get the most out of a relationship, you have to work as a partnership, and when you’re part of a framework agreement you do that. Once we’ve gone through the whole process and ticked the box, anyone looking for a print business knows we are a member of the framework and are one of a number of people that fill certain criteria.”
Nigel Lyon
Managing director
Pinstripe Print Group
B2 PRINTER
“Frameworks are good for public sector organisations because they offer a one-stop print shop for all of their printing requirements. As a printer, we like them too, whether they’re from the public sector or from print management firms, which a lot of them tend to be. It gives us the opportunity to tender for work that we wouldn’t normally because it’s from such a sizeable account. It also provides a level of guaranteed income. You tend to be competing against firms of a similar size, so you know you’re not up against cut-throat people who are just filling capacity and undercutting you on price.”
Philip Cole
Sales director
21 Colour
