More tenders open; PFI misses payment deadline; Manchester Printers assets sold; GF Smith; IPIA; and more...

[Latest print buying news]( [view text only version]( [View in web browser]( [View text-only version]( [PrintWeek]( Monday 05 June 2023 [Print buying bulletin] [Latest headlines] [More print tenders open for bids]( [More print tenders open for bids]( Three more print tenders requiring a range of services from across the industry have gone live. [PFI Group misses payment deadline]( [PFI Group misses payment deadline]( PFI Group has not made the first big payment related to its acquisition of Grafenia's printing operations last year. [Manchester Printers assets sold]( [Manchester Printers assets sold]( The assets of Manchester Printers have been acquired by an East Midlands-based group. [Sponsored content] [Manchester Printers assets sold]( [Create a winning brand protection strategy]( Sarah Rutland looks at how today’s omnichannel retail market, with its futuristic, Industry 4.0-ready finery, offers many opportunities for brands – but also many risks. [In the news] [GF Smith's Haslam steps down with paean to paper]( GF Smith managing director John Haslam is retiring after 38 years at the high-end paper specialist. [IPIA chair represents print at event hosted by deputy PM]( IPIA chair Charles Rogers has attended an event hosted by deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden, where he represented the UK print industry at a special Business Leaders Reception at No 10 Downing Street. [Jacobs to retire after pioneering print career]( After nearly 50 years in the industry Print Evolved founder Ivor Jacobs will retire at the end of this month. [Mail engagement and effectiveness grew in Q1]( JICMail, the joint industry currency for ad mail, has released its data for Q1 2023, which revealed that a greater proportion of mail was engaged with than at any point in the previous year. [Strike ballot at Cepac]( Unionised Cepac employees have begun balloting for industrial action, after negotiations broke down in a pay dispute. [CWU suspends Royal Mail ballot]( The future stability of Royal Mail has been thrown into question again, after the CWU suspended the ballot over its proposed pay and conditions agreement due to the “command and control” workplace environment it described as “toxic”. [NorthWolds buys Wood Richardson in York merger]( NorthWolds printworks has merged with Wood Richardson after acquiring the historic family printer in early May. [UPM Fibres begins consultations on potential temporary layoffs]( UPM Fibres has started consultations with employee representatives at its Kaukas pulp mill, sawmill, and wood reception in Finland to prepare for “possible temporary production adjustment” to address the market situation. [Smart packaging could slash plastic waste]( Reusable packaging with embedded electronic tags could help transform the plastic packaging industry, according to research. [In this issue] [The April and May issue is out now. Our ‘colourful issue’ is crammed with thought-provoking insights, business critical info and all the latest news and views from the UK print industry...]( [Got some news? Email the PrintWeek newsdesk here](mailto:printweek.newsdesk@markallengroup.com) [PrintWeek jobs] [Strategic Business Development Manager]( [Head of Brand]( [Sales Account Manager | Digital Print | London]( [Technical Sales Manager]( [Print Finisher (Guillotine)]( [See the latest jobs]( [Knowledge Bank] [Fespa preview: Opening up new perspectives]( [Fespa preview: Opening up new perspectives]( When the Fespa Global Print Expo last opened in Munich, in 2019, no one could have predicted that a global pandemic would severely hamper all exhibition activity around the world for the next few years. [Business Inspection: Changing for good]( [Business Inspection: Changing for good]( In March, the UK government admitted the latest raft of policies in its updated Net Zero Strategy would miss its 2030 nationally determined contributions commitment, under the Paris Agreement, to cut emissions by 68%. [Painting the town red, yellow, green and pink]( [Painting the town red, yellow, green and pink]( If there is one sense above all others that is the most powerful, it’s probably vision. A marvel of genetic engineering, eyes gather information about the world. © MA Business Limited 2023. [Contact Us]( [Advertising]( [Subscribe]( If you wish to unsubscribe from Print Buying Weekly bulletin emails, please click [here](. To understand how we process, use & safeguard your data, please read our [Privacy Policy](. If you would like to update your marketing contact preferences, then please [click here](.