Woodford Web in publishing push

Woodford Web managing director Michael Tame has urged small- and medium-sized publishers to "keep their wits about them" in the face of major changes in the web offset printing landscape.

"There used to be four big web printers, now there are two. As options have narrowed there is the potential for the market to tighten," Tame said.

"There is a very real danger in this environment that small- to medium-sized publishers could struggle to find security of supply or be priced out of the market in the next two-to-three years."

Tame has launched a sales push into the publishing sector, having reviewed the facilities at the Witham-based company since joining the business earlier this year. He described it as "in every way shape and form a magazine production plant."

Woodford runs a 48pp KBA Compacta C618 web, two G14s, and a 14-station Kolbus perfect binder. It also has two Muller Martini stitching lines.

The firm has also been working with Mellow Colour on colour management control and has just achieved an 86% pass on the Compacta. "We can print to ISO standard up there with the very best," Tame stated.

The £13.2m turnover company employs around 60 staff, and recently agreed new flexible working arrangements that will allow it to flex its available capacity to better effect.

It has also taken on Mark Pitman as new business development manager focused on publishing clients. Pitman previously worked at Headley Brothers, BGP and Cooper Clegg.