The RR Donnelley-owned document process outsourcer will provide four main services to Imprimerie Nationale, France's equivalent of The Stationery Office. These services include logistics, office supplies, print and mail, and print management.

As part of the agreement, which was struck by Astron's Paris office, the two organisations will construct a document services operation near Lille, which will initially serve the French Government and other public departments.

Due to be operational early next year, the new centre will also serve the private sector. Astron International president David Mitchell said the joint-venture was directly in line with Astron's declared strategy: "This gives us a good hub and critical mass [in continental Europe]."

The president of Imprim-erie Nationale, Loc de la Cochetire, said there would be "enormous benefits" in working with Astron, adding: "Astron is the only document services organisation with real European reach."

In addition, Astron has renewed its contracts with NTL, 3 and another telecoms firm, believed to be Vodafone. On top of that, it has secured a new contract with Aircom; however, it has not renewed its deal with Orange, which has gone to DST. "We wish them well," said Mitchell.

Mitchell said the recent wins were "testimony to the power of Donnelley", the world's largest print group, which bought Astron for almost $1bn (565m) earlier this year. "This confirms the decision we took to go with them," he said.

Imprimerie Nationale
- Founded in 1538, it is the oldest printer in France

- Was made Imprimerie Royale in 1640 by Cardinal Richelieu

- Took the Imprimerie Nationale name in 1870

- Today it prints all the official documents of the French state

- Employs 1,900 staff across four sites