Business support service specialist Amey Comax has handled the stationery printing for QinetiQ, the re-branded Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).


The Portsmouth-based printing services division of Amey Comax is also "likely to handle" the stationery requirements for both QinetiQ and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) when they diverge in July this year, but a spokeswoman said it was "too early to put a value on the contract".


DERA has spent nearly 400,000 on the rebranding in preparation for its change to plc status on 2 July.


The name was decided upon following a MORI poll of customers and the Ministry of Defence.


The project cost 42,000, and the name was chosen from a list of 400.


The decision on how the word "QinetiQ" was to be printed and its colour cost a further 365,000.


A spokeswoman for DERA said the colour chosen "had to be a strong blue, and the same colour as the Earth appears from space".


"QinetiQ was seen as distinctive and reflecting the organisations spirit of innovation," she said.


QinetiQ (pronounced "kinetic") is derived from the scientific term for "relating to or caused by motion".


In July, 75% of DERA will be vested into the private sector as wholly-owned plc QinetiQ, with the remaining 25% staying within the MoD as the DSTL.


Story by Andy Scott