(November 24, 2008) Polestar has formed a strategic alliance with a Tokyo-based printing group, Vanfu Inc, a supplier of business print, creative and fulfilment services. The alliance, which sees a partnership covering the Asian and European print production markets, centres around Polestar's experience, print management skills and technology, including HTTprint, as Vanfu develops its own print management business, Synergy Communications, to deliver a concept that is new to the Japanese market.

Polestar Chief Executive Barry Hibbert and Applied Solutions Director Tim Smith visited the company to formalise the contract following extensive discussions. Barry Hibbert says: "We are very excited by this agreement, which gives us the opportunity to extend our reach and range for our existing clients as well as gain from the successful development of a new print management market, to which we can bring our experience. The research and technology that Synergy Communications has invested in make for a powerful offering and we look forward to being part of the growth of print management in Japan."

He continues: "For our clients who operate within specialist markets and those already using the HTTprint system, the ability to have access to the same software and services in Japan will allow them to benefit from the same high levels of service and quality, with brand consistency and integrity assured."

Synergy Communications is part of Vanfu Inc, a £85 million multi-media-to-sheet-fed print group, with some 20 high street print and copy centres in Tokyo with over 500 employees. With the advances in technology and changes in market requirements, it has been reviewing opportunities within the European market for some time.

Company founder and president Shensuke Inukai comments: "Following several research trips to Europe, we had confidence in Polestar as our partner to help successfully deliver a world class print management offering to the Japanese market and look forward to working together on this initiative."