Under the new six-year deal Polestar, which already produces 15 specialist and 13 monthly IPC titles at its Chantry and Colchester sites, will be responsible for the printing and binding of IPC’s entire magazine portfolio, comprising around 60 regular frequency titles plus a variety of specials and one shots.
The majority of IPC's current print contract is split between Polestar and Wyndeham Group, with Wyndeham responsible for more than 30 titles including flagship brands such as Marie Claire. Meanwhile Caerphilly-based sheetfed printer Pensord produces four regular titles including IBI, Eventing, SuperYacht World and SuperYacht Business.
However, the publisher's decision to move to a single supplier, first revealed yesterday by PrintWeek, will result in all of its titles being produced by Polestar across its Sheffield, Wakefield, Leeds and Bicester sites, with sheetfed production being handled at Stones in Banbury.
Commenting on the decision Pensord managing director Darren Coxon said: "This is the end of a relationship with IPC that spans more than 15 years and whilst it is sad, it is not wholly unexpected. It was a battle between two powerhouses of print for a large number of titles and our little pot of four titles got swallowed up in the process.
"We’ve known for some time that this was the likely outcome but when it happens its always disappointing. We will continue to produce the titles until 30 June and will assist in any way we can with the transition of our titles into Polestar.
"IPC were respectful throughout the tender process which was conducted professionally," he added.
Wyndeham, whose subsidiary Rhapsody Media handles IPC's pre-media work, announced the loss of its web offset contract to its staff yesterday (Mon 31 March). Chief executive Paul Utting told PrintWeek the company was "disappointed and surprised" by the decision.
IPC Media production operations director Richard Hill said the decision was an extension of its long-standing relationship with Polestar.
“Polestar’s existing facilities combined with the new press investments will enhance the scale and flexibility of the resources available to meet the future manufacturing needs of our diverse portfolio of brands and will help to drive future manufacturing efficiencies beyond printing and binding.
“At the same time I would like to acknowledge and thank the excellent way in which the teams at Wyndeham and Pensord have served IPC over many years,” he added.
Polestar chief executive Barry Hibbert said: “This is a huge decision by IPC Media and it is not an understatement to say that the Polestar team is absolutely thrilled. I am proud that our relationship goes back many decades and is one that we look forward to growing together into the future.”
Polestar’s marketing director of UK print, James Povey, added: “We have always sought to prove ourselves as the best possible supplier of choice to IPC Media and never more so than at this point, when our investment programme and service history has been validated in such a significant way.
“To have been awarded the status of sole supplier is fantastic news for our business and we are extremely grateful for the vote of trust IPC Media has placed in our future relationship.”
Meanwhile, ahead of the commencement of the new contract, it is likely that Polestar will cease printing IPC’s lads' mag title Nuts, after the publisher announced yesterday that it had entered into a 30-day consultation with staff about its potential closure.
"After 10 years at the top of its market, we have taken the difficult decision to propose the closure of Nuts and exit the young men's lifestyle sector.
“IPC will provide impacted staff with all the support they need during the consultation process,” said IPC Inspire managing director Paul Williams.
