The International Productivity Study will concentrate on the books, cartons and magazine/catalogue sectors.

ViPs Andrew Brown said detailed benchmarking was essential for promoting best practice.

We want 10 UK companies from each sector and the same number of European competitors. The information will be totally anonymous and produced in aggregate form, said Brown.

If UK companies wanted to get a specific European competitor involved then ViP would try to do that through its contractors Pira International and Strategem, he said.

Everyone benefits from this sort of benchmarking, those both in the UK and Europe, its not all one way. The recent strengthening of the euro has eased some pricing pressure, but nothing stays the same, said Brown.

Participating companies, who will not be charged, will receive confidential individual reports showing their performance against median and best results. ViP also plans to publish an overall report next March on the implications for the UK industry.

ViP has recruited representatives from each sector for the studys steering group, including: Cambridge University Press manufacturing director Rod Willett and Mackays of Chatham general manager Sam Ithell for books; Mayr-Melnhof Packaging supply chain director Ed Boden for packaging; and Wyndeham Heron production director Ray Lesnik, Polestar Varnicoat managing director David Yendole and Polestar Petty managing director Peter Greaves for magazines/catalogues.

Contact: www.visioninprint.co.uk.