The on-going contract was awarded to Carwin after it promised to streamline the retailer's print purchasing, planning and use.

Carwin sales director Steve Shaw (pictured) said: "It's a vast range of print with over 250 items. Our job is to manage it and give Allders access to their entire range while minimising inefficiencies."

Carwin will now scrutinise Allders' print use, stock levels and ordering procedures to get the maximum efficiencies.

"Sometimes companies are carrying too much stock or ordering inefficient quantities. We would also look at things like whether they would be using a five-part set, instead of three," said Shaw.

Although Carwin is part of the 200m-turnover Adare Printing Group, only around 5% of its work is placed with its sister companies, and Shaw said the company prided itself on its
independence.

Allders will place its print requirements on Carwin's online system, which has
on-screen proofing. It will also be able to manage and check its product portfolio online and create an online digital asset library. The system, which is updated every 15 minutes, allows users to check on a job's status in real time.

Carwin, which has sales of 37m, employs 130 people at five sales locations in Havant, West Thurrock, Nottingham, Glasgow and Cardiff.

Its customer base includes Siemens, IBM, Proctor & Gamble, Ericsson, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, John Lewis Partnership and Scottish Amicable.

Story by John Davies