WebMart has launched an online trading system - www.buyweboffset.com - which it claims will save printers hundreds of pounds per new account and sell their spare capacity.


Selected printers have given WebMart their cost rates under strict confidentiality; the system then automatically selects the cheapest price.


But managing director Simon Biltcliffe said it would not damage printers' margins because it offers a "zero-cost sales option" and an alternative sales channel. It will also allow salesmen to concentrate on servicing key accounts.


WebMart's database lists all the webs in the UK market from mini-webs to 96pp, plus selected European web printers.


Printers can also log into their own control panel and change prices to reflect current market prices and business needs.


WebMart has 7,500 web offset print buyers on its database. It typically charges 1.5% commission per UK job and 2% for Europe. There is no cost for printers and buyers to
register. The firm is also looking at moving outside web offset - not as WebMart but with distinct brands and teams of experts in their markets, particularly gravure, direct mail, point-of-sale and sheetfed.


WebMart also plans to add more functions to the website, including a virtual web hall, mobile commerce, and even online press passing.


IT director Andy Scattergood has been developing buyweboffset.com for a year. "Getting it to this stage is the difficult bit," he said.


Story by Gordon Carson