News

December 2008 MBA’s plans for carbon-neutrality.
MBA, the North London based multi-channel production company, plans to improve its environmental performance during 2009 and take the first steps to becoming carbon-neutral.

The firm is already ISO14001 accredited and has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). As part of their existing environmental policy MBA keep a record of how much paper is recycled, and in 2007 reached a figure of 1,450 tonnes that helped to save 34,000 trees^*.

The next major step is to become carbon-neutral and the company has begun introducing energy saving initiatives to reduce their carbon emissions to the lowest possible level. "Companies need to be environmentally responsible in order to compete in today’s market. But there is a lot of green-wash in the market. We intend to do this the right way and reduce our emissions before offsetting" said Bachar Aintaoui, Chairman.

MBA has put in place a number of green initiatives, including:

• Replacing their paper waste compactor. The new compactor uses less energy and will compact paper more effectively, which reduces the number of collections by recycling vehicles (reducing carbon emissions)
• Movement triggered lighting. Lighting accounts for 22% of the average office energy bill. MBA are installing movement detectors in non-essential areas to reduce energy used.
• Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). MBA already have FSC certification and hope to achieve PEFC by January 2009.
• Clients can travel to our Tottenham factory in MBA’s carbon neutral Taxi. All carbon emissions from the Taxi have been offset thus reducing the personal carbon footprint of clients as well as their company’s emissions.

^* MBA saved 34,000 trees in 2007. Figure based on saving 20 trees per tonne of paper.

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November 2008 Survey shows UK mailing houses have poor Quality Accreditation.

Bachar Aintaoui, Chairman of MBA, has called for greater use of accreditation services within the print and mailing industry. A survey shows the average mailing house has less than three accreditations with the DMA, QMP and ISO9000 Quality Management being the most popular.

The survey, conducted by MBA during February 2008, also revealed that only 13% of mailing houses had ISO14001 Environmental accreditation and as little as 11% were FCS approved.

Bachar Aintaoui believes the industry needs to do more to improve quality standards, "There is increasing consumer and Government pressure on our industry, and accreditation is one way to demonstrate our commitment to quality".

Bachar was surprised that 57% of firms still use the QMP standard as part of their marketing. "QMP was withdrawn in March 2007 and required annual assessment. It was a good standard, but it is now redundant". The survey also showed 8% still use ISO9002 even though it was replaced by ISO9001 in March 2005.

The difference between small and large mailing houses is also clear. Companies employing between 1-10 people had an average of two accreditations, while those employing more than 150 staff had over four. Bachar commented, "We have been re-accredited for ISO9001, 14001 and 27001 and also have APACS and FCS. Large companies like MBA have the resources to acquire these standards, but smaller firms struggle."

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June 2008 MBA first to be appointed for all Simplyhealth printing in £6 million contract.

MBA Group Limited has won the print contract for all seven divisions of health and wellbeing group Simplyhealth. The group includes a number of health plan and private medical insurance providers, including BCWA, HealthSure, HSA, LHF, Remedi, Totally Active and Vitality Healthcare.

MBA are the first company to be appointed for the all of Simplyhealth’s printing which had previously been split among several printers across England, from Manchester to Andover.

The tender process was highly competitive with three print groups reaching the final round. Bachar Aintaoui, MBA Group Chairman, commented "We are delighted to have been appointed. This contract gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our passion for print, both litho and digital."

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May 2008 MBA sponsors North Pole expedition to highlight global warming

MBA Group Limited has sponsored an attempt by John Thompson to reach the North Pole. John was hoping to become the first black Briton to reach Earth’s most Northern point and highlight global warming. After 7 days John was close to reaching his goal, but frostbite and the terrain eventually took their toll and he had to return to base. "My trip has been an inspirational experience. The knowledge that I have followed in the footsteps of world famous explorers is humbling. This is not the end."

MBA have a very active environmental policy and the expedition to the North Pole was a good way to highlight global warming. The increase in temperature is melting the ice and having to ski around thin ice can nearly double the 60-mile length of many expeditions.

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May 2008 MBA wins Thames Water Utilities print contract worth £1 million

MBA Group Limited has won the print contract for Thames Water Utilities worth an estimated £1 million over two years. MBA won the contract in a competitive tender against twelve other print companies.

The contract is for a variety of litho print, which will help keep MBA’s four Heidelberg SpeedMaster presses busy at our North London factory. Kevin Stewart, Sales Director for MBA, commented "This win confirms our expertise in the Water Utilities market and complements work we currently do for Three Valleys Water, Anglian Water and Severn Trent."

January 2008 MBA acquire SR Communications business to form largest print and mailing house in London

MBA have acquired the business and assets of SR Communications Ltd. The plan is to migrate the business into MBA’s 135,000 sq. ft. factory in Tottenham.

The amalgamation of SR into MBA produces the largest printing and direct marketing company in London. It will create an unprecedented manufacturing capability in both the transactional and Direct Mail arena and improve our ranking among UK companies.

Bachar Aintaoui, Chairman of MBA Group, believes the customer is the winner. "We have always provided single source solutions, but acquiring SR gives us greater economies of scale and more production capacity which will benefit our customers".

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January 2008 MBA take delivery of 2 new high speed continuous laser printers
MBA has taken delivery of a Xerox 495 and a Xerox 650, two high speed, high-resolution Xerox continuous feed laser printers. Both printers have flash fusing technology, which has no contact with the paper, eliminating paper shrinkage, retaining paper moisture levels and thus improving performance and reliability of post process finishing devices. The Xerox 495 is able to duplex print and both printers run at 600dpi. The 650 is the flagship of the Xerox continuous feed printers. At 300 feet per minute it is their fastest continuous feed printing system to hit the market.

The investment will give increased productivity, whilst improving quality. It is also ideal for adhesive labels and other specialty stocks.