Polestar's Long-Term Catalogue Print Deal

The Polestar Group has secured a long-term contract with M and M Direct for the production of the UK on-line and mail order retailer's catalogues.

The Polestar Group has secured a long-term contract with M and M Direct for the production of the UK on-line and mail order retailer's catalogues.

Running until June 2008, the contract covers 95 per cent of the company's print requirements.

Formerly known as M and M Sports, M and M Direct specialises in discounted branded sports, lifestyle, outdoor and fashion goods.

It produces five main catalogues, with three versions, each year, which are distributed to a growing database of consumers across the UK.

It is because of the lengthening print runs of the main catalogues - now over one million copies each - that production has switched to the Polestar's flagship gravure plant in Sheffield.

Additional smaller run, sale catalogues are printed web offset at Polestar Chantry.

Mike Tomkins, chief executive of M and M Direct, visited Polestar Sheffield this week to see the first of the newly re-branded catalogues come off the press.

He said: "Although it is now more economical to print gravure, we like the strong definition that this process gives to our product range and its appearance on the page.

We have worked directly with Polestar for the past year and we are confident that the levels of quality and service will continue as we formalise our relationship.

A contract of this nature also means that our resources previously applied to sourcing prices and print capacity can be switched to other areas and projects." Mike Young, managing director of Polestar Sheffield, said: "The firepower of this plant continues to impress colleagues and customers alike.

As we approach our first anniversary, we are extremely proud of our achievements here and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with M and M Direct as the benefits of the plant's facilities continue to develop." Scott Fowkes, Polestar sales manager, added: "After an initial one year contract, we are delighted to have secured a two year extension, reflecting the high level of service, flexibility and versatility of products Polestar is able to offer.

We are pleased to be part of the continued success of M and M Direct." M and M Direct is based in Leominster, Herefordshire, and employs 470 people.

It has long-standing relationships with leading brands such as Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Ben Sherman, Fred Perry, Rockport, Timberland and Bench.

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