AIW's win was also due to the strong relationship it has built with the 73-store franchise, said Clark Rubber's national marketing manager, Joel Shulkin.

"They have provided fantastic service. They're one of our two major sponsors of our annual conference, so they're very much a part of the landscape," Shulkin told ProPrint.

"They produce a consistently high standard of quality reproduction. They work with us from pre-press right through to the final piece, and then when it's packaged and sent off for distribution."

[Related: AIW turns over $900k a man]

AIW produces 30 million catalogues per year for Clark Rubber over nine campaigns, most of which are distributed by Salmat, said AIW's national sales manager, Simon Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald said AIW had focused on building strong links with Clark Rubber executives and franchisees since it started supplying the company in 2007.

"We spend an awful lot of time and money in making sure we're getting to know them and, importantly, they're getting to know us," he told ProPrint.

"We invest strongly in the relationship, and without a shadow of a doubt that's paid dividends for us."

The Clark Rubber awards were held in April. Wilkinson Insurance Brokers and communications agency Haystac were the other two finalists in the 'supplier of the year' category.

[LinkedIn: What outstanding customer service have you provided?]

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