Big three win the Barclays contract.(Brief Article)

Barclays has selected Ormolu, Alistair McIntosh/Williams Lea and Centurion/Communisis to share in its pounds 35m marketing print budget, following a review of 19 print suppliers.

One source wasn't surprised by the outcome, as Barclays had said it didn't want to put work worth more than around 15% of turnover with any one firm.

'Why put these major Print management companies against smaller printers?

We're small fry in comparison. It's such a big contract it's difficult to give it to a printer, unless it was to share it among nine or so,' he said.

In July, Barclays initiated the six-stage cost-saving review (PrintWeek, 26 July), which involved in-depth interviews, assessment days, then quotations followed by e-tendering.

Barclays spokesman George Hulbert said the firm had opted for the three large suppliers because they not only showed they could do a good job, but they had also 'bought into the idea of working as a partnership. They proved they could work well with us, as well as each other'.

One printer involved in the review said: 'I see this as an opportunity rather than a loss as we have worked with Centurion in the past, so could benefit from the contract ...