Johnson has approached 17 groups, a mix of BPIF members and non-members, to attend a meeting on 16 May, where the objectives of the forum will be outlined. Graham Broom, chief executive of the Automobile Industry Forum, will present to the group at the meeting.

Johnson said the print forum would work on "common ground industry issues" such as training and image, the "bedrock" of which are set out in the joint BPIF/DTI Print 21 competitiveness study. "Its about time the industry worked together," he said.

There are currently eight other industry forums, which form part of the governments Fit for the Future best practice campaign, and Johnson wants to secure one of the few remaining places.

"No one to date" has turned down Johnsons invitation, he said, "and I dont expect them to. Why would they not want to be involved?"

Groups invited include Polestar, St Ives, Wyndeham, MY Holdings, Field, Adare, RR Donnelley, Quebecor, CPI, Communisis, Butler & Tanner, W&G Baird and Jarrolds. But Johnson declined to reveal at this stage which had accepted.

The interests of small- to medium-sized firms will be represented at the forum by BPIF president Peter Yates. Johnson said he would look at including other industry bodies at a later stage. "I need to get my constituency to buy into what I am doing first," he said.

The BPIFs former commercial director, Andrew Brown, has been appointed to the new post of industry competitiveness director. Browns tasks will include the establishment of the forum and the implementation of the recommendations outlined in Print 21.

Finance director Mark Cooke has taken over as commercial director.

Story by Lauretta Roberts