Cambridge University Press printing business to transfer to MPG Books Group

Cambridge University Press and MPG Books Group have recently signed a 'Heads of Agreement' that is likely to see the Press's UK and other European printing placed with MPG from 2 July 2012.

MPG Books Group is the largest independent book and journal manufacturer in the UK.

The long-term agreement is likely to see MPG undertake a significant amount of the Press's European mono, two and four-colour book and journal manufacturing.

The Press's in-house printing capability currently employs 69 staff in Cambridge, all of whom may be eligible to transfer to MPG. They are likely to relocate to new premises within the Cambridge area over the coming months.

The Press's publishing business is likely to redeploy internally a small number of administrative and pre-press staff.

A Cambridge University Press spokesperson said: "To serve our customers around the globe faster and more efficiently, we will increasingly need to publish print products simultaneously worldwide employing flexible printing arrangements and the latest digital printing equipment. This new long-term arrangement will see books manufactured on the right technologies wherever they are needed - in Europe, the Americas, or Asia - and will also safeguard jobs for our own highly skilled printing workforce in Cambridge. It will also reduce our environmental impact."

Tony Chard, MPG Books Group Chief Executive comments: "This agreement encompasses the very best of cutting-edge technologies. It is designed to deliver significant strategic, operational and financial benefits to Cambridge University Press, and elevates MPG to the very top of the UK academic book and journal manufacturing league table. We continue to seek acquisition opportunities that enhance our offering to clients, as well as leading the long-overdue consolidation of our sector."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For further information, please contact:

Cambridge University Press, Director, Corporate Affairs

Peter Davison

Tel: +44(0)1223 326390

Email: pdavison@cambridge.org

MPG Books Group, Chief Executive

Tony Chard

Tel: +44 (0)1208 265300

Email: print@mpg-books.co.uk

About Cambridge University Press

Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Its purpose is to further the University's objective of advancing knowledge, education, learning, and research.

It publishes some 45,000 titles covering academic research, professional development, school-level education, English language teaching and bibles, as well as over 300 research journals. 

For further information, go to: www.cambridge.org

About MPG Books Group

MPG Books Group is the largest independent book and journal manufacturer in the UK. MPG offers the complete range of book and journal manufacturing services from print on demand to long run sheet fed. Over the last decade the group has invested £15 million in their companies in Bodmin, King's Lynn and Haverhill, in response to the quality and service demands of the highly competitive book publishing industry.

For further information, go to: www.mpg-booksgroup.com