Print management firm HH Associates has sealed an 8m-a-year contract with Centrica after beating off competition from 16 rivals.

HH had managed the 5m British Gas contract, but the revised deal also incorporates print management for the Automobile Association.

HH Associates managing director Howard Hunt, who was formerly a shareholder at Howard Hunt City, said the deal was an endorsement of the companys past performance, as well as its new 150,000 web-based management system.

Hunt said: "Its a completely transparent real-time system, not an e-mailed Excel spreadsheet like some companies.

"Users can log on and see all prices from suppliers, which are listed with the best price at the top. If theyve got a favourite supplier, they can see where it is clearly in relation to the others."

HH Associates adds on its repro charges as well as materials costs to the printers price, and the completed quote is sent via the internet to the customer.

"You can see the position of the job at any time. All pricing, purchase orders, and invoices are there for the customer to see. They can log on and check the figures, if the totals 20,000 then all the elements will add up," said Hunt.

Centrica print procurement manager John Mills said HH Associates web-based management ability had influenced his decision.

Sutton-based HH, which has been going for 10 years, achieved a turnover of 14m last year, but expects to reach the 18m mark for 2001.

Its clients include ITV Digital, the Labour Party, Carphone Warehouse and the Post Office.

Story by John Davies