Polestar had effectively ruled itself out of the running. The way they [Cond Nast] wanted the product delivered was quite unique and we couldnt justify the investment required. Its one of those cases where our investment strategy doesnt match a very specific customer requirement, said chief executive Barry Hibbert.
PrintWeek revealed last year that the publisher was reviewing manufacturing procurement for the trailblazing handbag-sized glossy, which saw circulation jump by 11% to 576,832 in the latest set of ABC figures.
The title is currently printed by Tewkesbury web printer Cooper Clegg on its two 578mm cut-off webs. But even on the short cut-off presses the paper wastage is significant compared to gravure.
Cooper Clegg chairman Ian Cooper said: Were a victim of its success. The people here have done a fantastic job we loved printing it and were devoted to it. Weve known this was coming but its a real shame its going out of the country.
If it were on the long cut-offs Id be suicidal, but our short cut-off presses are always busy and weve got a lot of new work on them. But its still a bugger, he added.
Separately, Cooper has won the contract to print Emaps new mens weekly which is set to launch next year, and this will effectively counterbalance the Glamour loss. Its about close to being equal, but obviously I was hoping it would be a plus to what we were already doing, he said.
Cond Nast was unavailable for comment
