Vertis beat off competition from 30 European companies to retain the contract in what Vertis Fulfilment managing director John Owens described as a "fairly harsh interrogation process".

He added: "It's brought the two companies closer together in that we're now offering more and looking at ways to help the customer reach the objectives they have. It's far more of a partnership than a client/supplier relationship."

Owens highlighted the quick turnaround and dispatch of the 3,500 to 5,000 pallets of Reader's Digest material stored at the plant, using recently installed semi-automated packing machinery.

He added that the Reader's Digest contract was the "backbone" of the business, and "allows us to continue to grow and develop the Swindon operation."

Story by Josh Brooks