Printing industry hit by cold snap

Travel disruption caused by heavy snowfall and icy conditions has affected the printing industry, as paper merchants struggle to deliver paper to printers.

The cold snap has disrupted trading in various parts of the country, with Kent being one of the worst-hit areas. However, distribution firm Antalis McNaughton said employees at its Dartford site have been trying to supply paper to as many customers as possible.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: "Some areas of Kent and Essex are impassable, therefore meaning most of our customers are closed anyway."

Hadley-based firm Profile Print was "quite surprised and well chuffed" to receive paper from the distributor even when major road networks were iced up.

Profile Print's proprietor, Neil Handley, said: "The snow has been pretty bad here. But yesterday we saw the Antalis truck turn up with our delivery which was great."

Meanwhile, another distributor Premier Paper Group said it was battling to deliver paper to businesses in Scotland, due to widespread ice. But the firm is trying to continue operations with the help of its Dartford depot.

Its marketing director Dave Jones said: "We have been able to service most customers from other branches in the region. We did have some delivery problems, but we've got there eventually and we are well on our way to catching up with things.

"It's been pretty dire in some areas, and it's been good to hear we're been getting through in most cases."

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