Premier Papers has pulled out of the Print Show and parted company with long standing marketing manager Brad Goldsmith. This is just weeks after the retirement of Dave Jones as group marketing director and his replacement by Eve Reid, formerly commercial director of WBC, the packaging supplies company acquired by Premier at the end of 2022.
The withdrawal from the Birmingham exhibition which opens later this month, will be expensive. The paper merchant will have to pay all or almost all the fees for stand space and will almost certainly have order electricity and other services from the NEC which will need to paid for.
Premier, like other UK merchants, is under intense pressure as demand for volume papers from commercial printers declines. While publication of 2024’s figures are imminent, Premier reported sales of £305.1 million for 2023, making it the largest UK paper merchant.
Premier has successfully expanded in display products, building a strong portfolio in this sector including exclusivity for Drytac films. Marketing for the display portfolio resulted in a series of high profile stands at the Print Show in recent years, with cut sheet digital products also highlighted.
Premier has also expanded in a packaging direction which has included the acquisition of WBC Packaging and Display (the Wine Box Company), a supplier of specialist packaging to food and drink companies. Before becoming Premier’s group marketing director in June she head been commercial director of WBC and has a background in retail design.
The absence of Premier Papers has provided an opportunity for Antalis to step in. The company, which has also created a substantial display products arm, is taking on Premier’s slot close to the entrance of Hall 3 at the NEC. It plans to show its range of print and packaging media, from creative papers to display graphics and transit packaging and says it is “proud to champion the best quality, most sustainable and innovative products on the market, we’re excited to showcase our extensive range of print and packaging media at this upcoming event”.
Paper merchanting is also represented at the show by EBB.
