The UK will vote on whether to remain in the EU on Thursday 23 June 2016. With the EU campaign already underway, Print Image Network is already scheduling electoral printing requirements for local authorities across the UK, following the announcement.
The EU referendum will no doubt be a key topic at the AEA Conference and Exhibition 28 February - 2 March 2016, where Print Image Network will be exhibiting at Stand 3.
If you work in electoral services and want to discuss your postal vote, poll card or ballot paper printing requirements for June, please contact us today or come and see us at the AEA Conference & Exhibition.
Print Image Network Ltd, one of the UK’s leading providers of electoral print and mail services, will once again be joining local authorities and industry experts from across the country, at the Annual Conference for the Association of Electoral Administrators, 28 February – 2 March 2015. The specialist electoral printing company will attend as both a conference delegate and exhibitor, showcasing products at Stand 3 throughout the four-day event.
With a strong heritage in electoral services including the design, print, fulfilment and postage of IER canvass materials, poll cards, postal voting packs and ballot papers, Print Image Network is one of the best-placed specialists in the country to handle issues due to be discussed at the event.
The ‘Together We Are Strong’ theme will see industry experts discuss the key issues for this year. Issues including Individual Electoral Registration, EU Referendum, Overseas Electors, preparations for the 2016 elections and electoral law.
John Foster, Managing Director of Print Image Network said of the forthcoming conference “2016 will be another crucial year for electoral administration. The Police and Crime Commissioner, London Mayoral, London Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland, Welsh Assembly and local elections, plus the possibility of an EU Referendum has meant that local authorities and electoral print and mail suppliers have had to work even closer with council customers, to ensure schedules are in place for May and thereafter.”
Services Director, Stephen Power added “The AEA Conference and Exhibition is the one event of the year where we get to talk to customers and other industry experts. In a period of so much change it is good to discuss and plan issues that are likely to arise over the next year and to subsequently work with councils to address them.”
The Association of Electoral Administrators Conference is being held 28 February - 2 March 2016 at the Blackpool Hilton Hotel. Visit Print Image Network at Stand 3.
We are pleased to announce that having retained our Customer Service Excellence standard in June 2015, following a rigorous three-year re-assessment process, we have been granted an additional award for further improvements to our customer service.
During our annual assessment in January 2016 we secured ‘Compliance Plus’, for our extended efforts to provide customer-focused election services to local authorities.
Compliance Plus means that we have surpassed the level that must be achieved in all areas to get the award and reached a higher standard in two specific areas;
Stephen Power, Services Director, commented on the work carried out in order to achieve Compliance Plus. “As part of our commitment to CSE we annually carry our customer satisfaction surveys. We then use the feedback given to improve our service, making sure we evolve and adapt to our customers’ changing needs. We are also making improvements in relation to Corporate Social Responsibility, working with communities and charities which have a close affinity with staff and customers alike.”
Furthermore, in his official report Michael Lynch, Lead Assessor, said:
“Putting the customer at the heart of everything they do is obviously part of the vision from senior management at Print Image Network; it has also permeated through to all staff within the organisation. Staff interviewed came across as being extremely contented and passionate in relation to working at Print Image Network Ltd and appeared to be firmly committed to providing a highly effective service to their many clients”.
With so much speculation about the date of the EU Referendum, it’s little wonder that local authorities are confused about when to schedule their printing requirements for ballot papers, postal votes and poll cards.
Although talks with the European Council President failed to secure an early deal, reports suggest that further talks will prove crucial ahead of the EU Summit on 18-19 February 2016. Therefore, the EU Referendum could still happen as early as 23 June.
Despite the speculation, the date for the referendum remains unknown, with debate surrounding every possible option. News articles continue to present conflicting views. One report has suggested that the EU Referendum is not at the top of the agenda for EU leaders, eluding to the fact that a deal may not be reached later this month.
However, the Government’s recent motion, which sets out some of the rules of the referendum i.e. the length of the campaign, funding and the timing of the count, plus on going discussions with the European Council President, strengthens reports that Thursday 23 June is still the favourite contender.
Whatever the outcome of the EU Summit during 18 -19 February, Print Image Network is advising local authorities to plan for the soonest possible eventuality. If you’d like to discuss electoral printing for the EU Referendum please contact us today on 0161 209 4800 or email sales@printimagenetwork.com
Alternatively, we will be at Stand 3 at the AEA Conference, 28 February – 2 March 2016, where our team will be happy to discuss the EU Referendum.
Following the Electoral Commission's request for input on the proposed direction and guidance for the forthcoming EU Referendum, Print Image Network has formulated a response in support of various clients. Our response refers to the timetable for poll cards, postal votes and ballot papers amongst other things.
To view our response in full, please click the link below: -
EU Referendum EC Consultation Response Document
Print Image Network Ltd, election services and printing specialist, has retained the ISO 9001 certification and has been accredited against the new ISO 27001:2013 standard, demonstrating its commitment to quality and information security.
The company, which celebrated its 15th anniversary this year, is based in the North West and has a loyal customer base of local authorities which spans the length and breadth of the country.
Having held the standard since 2012, the company faced its first three-year re-assessment in August and is pleased to announce that it passed without a single ‘non-conformance’ – an achievement that only a small percentage companies assessed against the new standard actually achieve.
ISO 9001 is a Quality Management Standard which helps to create a more disciplined work environment and improve a company’s overall performance, ensuring quality is truly embedded in its culture and operations. ISO 27001:2013 for Information Security Management certification is awarded to organisations that want to assess risk and prevent information security incidents, which is crucial to suppliers that work with local government contracts. Updated in 2013, Print Image Network had to make the transition from the old ISO27001:2005 standard to new ISO27001:2013 standard.
John Foster, Managing Director of Print Image Network, said: “Achieving the re-assessment of both ISO Standards is a fantastic achievement but we are particularly proud that we did so with no non-conformances. The team at Print Image Network works extremely hard to ensure we are conforming to the policies and procedures defined by ISO 9001:2008 & ISO 27001:2013 and we are particularly impressed with Print Image Network Supervisor, Craig Poyser, who worked extremely hard to prepare for the re-assessment and ensured the transition from the old to new 27001 Certification was implemented within our business.”
The re-assessment marks the second celebration for the company, who earlier this year passed its three year re-assessment for the Customer Service Excellence Standard. Services Director, Stephen Power commented on the company’s achievements in 2015. “Print Image Network has always tried to achieve the highest standards possible, whether that’s quality-related, security-related or customer-related. We understand that in order to work with us our customers want to be confident that we operate in a way which makes them secure about our abilities as a supplier. We are really happy to have been recognised for all our hard work, most of all we want our customers to continue to see the benefits that achieving these certifications and accreditations brings.”
As part of its commitment to its Customer Service Excellence standard, Print Image Network Ltd carried out a customer satisfaction survey following the May 2015 General and local elections.
Customers who had experienced Print Image Network’s service during this period were invited to take part in an online satisfaction survey. The survey asked customers to rate key areas of service including: - overall satisfaction, sales and account management, products and service, and comparison to other electoral printing suppliers and recommendation.
Customers were keen to provide feedback in relation to their experiences, in fact 23% more customers completed the 2015 survey in comparison to customer responses following the 2010 General Election.
Key highlights were: -
Print Image Network also welcomed new customers during May and is happy to say that the responses from new customers were extremely positive.
“The products and service were extremely good as they were. I can’t think of any improvements”
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Election services provider, Print Image Network would like to thank customers for their continued service and support and will issue a full set of survey results very soon.
Fifteen years ago, Print Image Network co-founders John Foster and Stephen Power, combined their knowledge of the print industry and the world of elections to create the election printing specialist it is today. Print Image Network is a company focused on helping to solve the election complexities facing modern local authorities and organisations. As you can imagine, this has been no mean feat.
The challenges presented by the new Individual Electoral Registration system, which was introduced in 2014, plus the recent General election and local elections, have not been without certain challenges. Such significant changes in the electoral landscape have left suppliers of local authorities needing to react to the challenges with the same agility as councils themselves.
After three General elections the company is still going strong. It has seen many changes over the years; mostly legislative, although in more recent times other external factors have influenced the way elections are managed. Budget spending cuts, the decline of voter turnout and technological advancements (or rather restrictions thereof), have all led to challenges for councils and suppliers alike. So, as electoral staff throughout the UK took a short rest following 7th May, all are back to tackle this year’s canvass.
A testament to the way Print Image Network has handled the elections this year is the encouraging results of its recent customer satisfaction surveys. To ensure continued commitment to its Customer Service Excellent standard, Print Image Network developed two customer surveys – one to collect customer opinions relating to IER and one to determine how we serviced customers during the May 2015 elections. The combined satisfaction level from respondents came to 94%.
Over the years Print Image Network has extended its range of services and markets. It also provides print services for any type of business and, with the introduction of PIPI, Print Image Promotions and Incentives, has been providing branded promotion products since 2009.
One of the biggest events in the Print Image timeline was in 2009, when a new brand was born – UK Engage. Taking its experience from within the elections arena, Print Image Network launched UK Engage, the company’s brand to service the election needs of other types of organisations, both in the private and public sector. UK Engage, became more than an elections printer it became an elections services provider. As new staff members were employed and the company grew, so did its skill set and expertise it was able to offer.
Today, UK Engage offers organisations much more than a printing service – it is now able to offer a comprehensive service which includes consulting and advising organisations on their election processes, offering a range of services to improve engagement amongst members. The introduction of electronic voting and other ‘online’ solutions have equipped UK Engage to become a major contender in this field. Today, the brand runs internal elections, AGMs, training sessions and workshops for NHS foundation trusts, social housing providers, professional bodies, cooperatives, charities and Business Improvement Districts, amongst others.
John Foster and Stephen Power have built a company that has, over the past 15 years, gone from strength to strength. Co-founder Stephen Power had this to say about the anniversary. “Print Image Network has always been a forward thinking company, both brands are evolving and adapting to the market sectors in which they operate. We are well-prepared to meet the expectations our customers have for us in the future; we’re delighted to celebrate 15 years in business and we are looking forward to the next 15!”
John Foster added, “2015 has been quite a year. No one would deny that, at times, it’s been challenging for all involved but at the same time we have overcome challenges for all our customers to ultimately deliver successful elections. This year we have also retained our Customer Service Excellence standard, which means that we have been recognised as achieving excellent customer service. No other electoral services provider holds this standard and we are extremely proud that we’ve been able to maintain such high standards and pass our three-year assessment with flying colours.”
Since the early days the company has substantially increased its workforce, increased its product and service portfolio to encompass all modern needs and its customer base is growing each month.
With the General Election less than two months away, local councils across the country are busy working with electoral suppliers such as Print Image Network and the like to produce the millions of postal votes, poll cards and ballot papers, which will flood homes and polling stations in the weeks to come.
We’re working hard to deliver these core products to our customers, however our electoral print goes beyond these items. So, if your council needs grass skirts, summary sheets and security wristbands for your count - or queue cards for your polling stations, then Print Image Network can help you in the coming weeks.
To find out more about these products visit our electoral printing page. If you are using grass skirts to count your votes you may be interested in our FREE training video here. Plus, we have developed summary sheets which correspond to our small and large grass skirts.
If your council needs to order grass skirts and summary sheets, wristbands or queue cards then contact us today: -
Tel: 0161 209 4800
Email: sales@printimagenetwork.com
Print Image Network Ltd, one of the UK’s leading providers of local authority electoral printing services, will sponsor the Elections Conference 2015 on 15 January 2015. The Elections Conference is an annual event for returning officers and senior managers from UK local authority councils who are accountable for managing the election process.
With a strong heritage in electoral services including the design, print, fulfilment and postage of canvass materials, poll cards, postal voting packs and ballot papers, Print Image Network works with more than 80 local authorities throughout the UK. The company is excited to sponsor the event for the second year as it addresses prominent issues that affect its customers.
The one-day event welcomes an array of prestigious speakers to discuss a number of key challenges facing returning officers and senior managers. Dr Clive Grace OBE, Secretary of the SOLACE Foundation will open and close the conference with Sam Gyimah MP, Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Department for Education and Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office delivering the keynote session. In addition, Print Image Network is especially pleased that Tony Slater, Head of Elections at the company will be delivering one of the afternoon sessions - Digitising Elections.
John Foster, Managing Director of Print Image Network said of the forthcoming conference “2015 will be a key year for returning officers and their staff, the May Parliamentary Election and local elections will present great challenges for all involved. At Print Image Network it is our job to assist local authorities as much as possible with the challenges they face, this year we will continue to do so with our flexible and responsive approach to election administration.”
Services Director, Stephen Power added "Managing the complexities that Parliamentary, local elections and electoral registration bring can be especially testing for local authorities. In order to fully assist our customers to the best of our ability we work closely with the Cabinet Office and the AEA, our commitment to the Electoral Commission Working Group is also vital to understanding the future challenges that local authorities face.”
The Elections Conference is being held on 15 January 2015 at Broadway House, London and is organised by SOLACE Enterprises.
