HDC Commercialisation of Document Centre

The Authority is seeking to let a five year contract with a further extension of 2 years with a single provider for the formation of a joint venture company to facilitate the commercial development and expansion of a range of print and related services currently provided by the HDC Document Centre.

The main drivers for the formation of a joint venture have been to identify potential ways to:
1. reduce the cost of this service to the Council
2. develop increased income from ‘external’ customers
3. more effectively market and sell specialist services
4. bring in additional resources and skills from a commercial operator

The proposed joint venture company will establish a commercial partnership with the aim of:
• Developing a commercial relationship with an experienced external partner who offers most advantageous balance of risk and reward.
• Establishing a trading entity that will harness existing strengths of both HDC and a commercial partner, and provide a clear commercial focus for the future.
• Enabling the joint venture company to offer a range of products, services and expertise that are well matched to the predicted development of the print market (eg: on demand, short run, variable print).
• Building on the current specialisms of the Document Centre to develop a wider customer base in the public sector.