The collapse of printing firm YM Group has caused disruption to the distribution of TV Choice, while national publishers have assured retailers it will have no direct impact on them.
Last week, FRP Advisory was appointed as the administrator for three of YM Group’s printing firms in Scarborough, York and Wakefield. More than 500 staff were made redundant with immediate effect. Each firm was responsible for printing weekly and monthly magazine supplements for the Daily Mirror, Daily Mail Group, Daily Express, TV Choice, The Guardian’s Saturday editions and The Observer.
One source, who asked not to be named, confirmed production for the 5 April issue of TV Choice was only running to at least 80% of its normal capacity, following the collapse. Better Retailing understands TV Choice’s publisher, Bauer, was also forced to supply English copies into Northern Ireland. Production in Wales and west England was not affected.
YM Group’s printing subsidiaries are responsible for printing some of Reach’s titles, such as New! magazine and We Love TV, for the Saturday edition of the Daily Mirror, Notebook for the Sunday Mirror, S Magazine for the Sunday Express and the Daily Express Saturday Magazine.
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Better Retailing understands that some of these titles will now be printed internally, except New! magazine, which has moved to another printer.
National newspaper publishers promised retailers their titles would not be hindered. A Guardian News & Media spokesperson told Better Retailing: “We are aware of the latest developments and have well-laid contingency plans in place around our print operations and other areas of our production business.
“Guardian readers and our valued retail partners should expect to see our newspapers and supplements delivered as normal.”
A spokesperson from the Daily Mail’s publisher, DMG Media, added: “As far as we are concerned, there will not be any delays to our products for independent or any other stores.”
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Prior to administrators being appointed, reports stated YM Group was seeking a buyer and that it had asked staff to continue to work. FRP Advisory said the administration was due to “a significant period of challenging trading that had been exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic and rising input prices”. The companies had been subject to an accelerated marketing process in recent weeks to secure a buyer.
“Without the prospect of investment or a sale, the companies have ceased to operate and the majority of 512 staff have been made redundant. A small number of staff have been retained to assist the joint administrators in their duties.
“This has been an incredibly challenging period for the printing sector and York Mailing, YM Chantry and Pindar are no longer able to continue trading. Regrettably, the insolvency has led to redundancies at what we know will be an extremely difficult time. We will work with staff to access redundancy support.”
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