IPMG chief executive Stephen Anstice said last week that one reason subsidiary Sync Communications had lost the Qantas contract after 15 years was because “respondents to the tender were asked, among other concessions, to source pricing from low-cost countries. IPMG… chose not to comply with this requirement.”
A Qantas spokesperson has told ProPrint that the work will remain in Australia.
“We understand that IPMG/Sync Communications is disappointed in the outcome. We can confirm that the package of work awarded to TMA is [for] services 100% on shore produced printing,” they said.
“Qantas has stringent quality and professional requirements in place for all contractors and this includes TMA.”
TMA managing director Anthony Karam confirmed to ProPrint that the agreement with Qantas is for the “implementation of a print management solution that sources all of Qantas’ print requirements from the Australian market”.
“TMA’s supply panel comprises local print companies that utilise sheetfed, digital, and web manufacturing technologies. The panel suppliers being utilised by TMA is made up of a combination of new and incumbent suppliers to Qantas,” he said.
Karam added that the company is “always open” for other companies to join its supplier panel.
Printing Industries yesterday weighed in to the debate, saying it had “spoken to a number of printing organisations to verify the claim” that Qantas was looking for its print to be sourced offshore.
Printing Industries chief executive Philip Andersen said he was “both alarmed and concerned”.
“For an iconic Australian company like Qantas to insert such a clause in its latest print tender is totally unacceptable to us and, we believe, will be unacceptable to the tens of thousands of print industry workers and the Australian public,” he said.
Click here for the latest headlines from across the printing industry.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter
