Williams Lea has landed a monster seven-year contract to handle 210m of print for the financier Axa.


Williams Lea group chief executive Tim Griffiths would not speculate on the future prospects for the 100-odd printers used by Axa for its insurance, assurance and healthcare material.


The two firms are going through an implementation period.


Williams Lea will handle hundreds of products from brochures to direct mail packs and aims to save 5.5m in the first two years. Axa currently spends 30m a year on printing.


The firm, which owns PPP Healthcare, Guardian Royal Exchange and Axa Sun Life, will transfer 17 print-placement staff to Williams Lea.


Griffiths said: "The services incorporate litho and digital print procurement, fulfilment and distribution for marketing and direct marketing.


"We are deploying web-enabled print procurement to offices. It will allow them to order and transact from the desktop and help campaign management of fulfilment and distribution."


UK managing director Miles Toulson-Clarke called the deal a watershed in print supply.


Axa employs 140,000 staff and boasts 2.74bn income.


Story by Jez Abbott