Target takes catalogue contract to PMP

Print and distribution giant, PMP, gains traction as it snares Target catalogue contract from rival, Salmat.

PMP’s reputation in the catalogue sector took a massive fall in 2008 when it admitted to distribution errors for some of its catalogues, resulting in the loss of the catalogue contract for Coles. When Richard Allely came on board as CEO, he was quick to make a number of new appointments to the company’s catalogue division, including David Chesser, who left PMP’s competitor, Salmat, to take up the role of general manager for PMP distribution.

“Our appointment demonstrates our resurgence and shows we can deliver competitive and customer-focussed solutions, distribution services and facilities that customers such as Target demand,” said Chesser.

According to a statement from PMP, this is the first time that Target has changed its catalogue distribution partner in 20 years and will see PMP Distribution responsible for all the retailer’s catalogue distribution requirements.

At the Macquarie Bank Emerging Leaders Conference in 2005, Target’s general marketing manager, Murray Chenery, praised Salmat for “over 15 years in refining [Target’s] catalogue distribution.”

Five years later, much has changed. Chenery told Print21 that: "Target has recently undertaken a catalogue distribution tender process, as we continually review our commitments in relation to strategic partners in all areas of the business, which is just good business practice," he said.

"As a result of this exhaustive tender process our catalogue distribution has been awarded to PMP and we look forward to building a mutually beneficial partnership with them.  We continue to have a strong working relationship with Salmat as they hold contracts in other areas of the business. These contracts were not invovled in this tender process."

PMP’s CEO, Richard Allely, (pictured), is happy that his restructure plans are bearing fruit. “Securing this significant contract rewards the investment that PMP has made in the last 12 months, bringing together the industry’s most skilled executives into one management team,” he said.

“The transfer of knowledge and experience to PMP has paid off and sets the platform for PMP to cement its leadership position in the catalogue distribution sector into the future.”

Target’s online catalogues are still visible through Lasoo.com.au (owned by Salmat). PMP Distribution and Target will work together over the coming weeks to ensure a transition from Salmat. The new contract will be managed through PMP’s distribution centre in Clayton, Victoria.