The BPIF has forged partnerships with three e-commerce businesses to boost its service offering to its members.


Federation members will now have access to the services of SME "group buying club" GroupTrade, online consumables supplier PrintRepublic, and print procurement portal httprint europe.


"This is the BPIF pushing forward," said chief executive Roy Hill. "It's not just standing on the sidelines saying 'look at what everyone else is doing'."


By teaming up SMEs to form a buying club, GroupTrade can offer them savings on the purchase of a number of services and products, ranging from car leasing agreements to computers.


PrintRepublic, which has already been working with the BPIF on a training initiative, will now offer members its online consumables procurement service, which includes well-known brands as well as its own "Red Label".


Marketing director Mark Smith said he was "delighted" with the alliance. "It's a great endorsement from the industry," he said.


Finally httprint europe's print procurement service, which is offered free to printers, will act as a complement to the BPIF's online database, Selectprinter.com.


"People are starting to embrace e-commerce and we are now seeing a faster rate of adoption at all levels," claimed httprint europe managing director Barry Hibbert.


Sztory by Lauretta Roberts