Based just yards from the Northampton print and print management groups existing site, the new 3,700m2 facility will create 150 new jobs in the area.

According to managing director Steve Brundle a high profile industry figure has been recruited to run the new facility but his identity is being kept under wraps for the time being.

Brundle is in negotiations with several major suppliers about purchasing kit for the facility, which he plans to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Further details about the new facility, which could be up and running in a matter of weeks, are due to be released soon.

The Print Factory has secured a number of high profile print management contracts in recent months - including the multi-million pound Vodafone account and has renewed its 10m-a-year deal with BSkyB. Other big name clients include Hilton Hotels, Motability and Ladbrokes.

It recently lost out to Nick Dixons team in the bid to buy Howitt, which has considerable direct mail capacity.

PrintWeeks 2004 survey of the UKs Top 20 Print Managers placed The Print Factory at number 12 with print management sales of 22m (PrintWeek, 29 January). A further 10m comes from commercial print work.

Story by Lauretta Roberts