FAQ's
In this document we have attempted to set out the most commonly asked questions asked by both prospective and existing IPN members.
More comprehensive answers are contained within the IPN Code of Conduct, the Membership Responsibility Rules and the Membership Application Process Rules and Procedure and we encourage everyone to read these.
Search the Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
 Changes at an existing company in membership
Confidentiality
Disputes
Eligibility for membership
Exclusivity
Joining IPN
Working together
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Changes at an existing company in membership
General Information
A significant element in the strength of the IPN is the mutual trust that exists between members that promotes the exchange of information and work between them. When changes take place within a member company therefore certain safeguards need to be in place.
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What happens when a member company expands to a new location where there is already an existing IPN member?
The IPN member can of course operate in that area but has no exclusivity. It would be expected that before commencing new operations the incoming member would liaise with the existing local IPN member to minimise any competitive issues. In addition he would have to understand and accept that the existing member would normally handle any IPN work required in that area. However in the final event it has to be accepted that it is the company placing the work that makes the final decision on commercial grounds.
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What happens when the ownership of the company changes?
If the member remains the same; the member would be asked to confirm that the new owners accept and understand their obligations entailed within IPN membership and asked to re-confirm his commitment to the code of practice and rules. This can best be achieved by a senior director of the new owners attending the meeting and participating in the representation. Membership could then continue unchanged under the new ownership.
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What happens when the ownership of the company changes and the member leaves?
If the new company wishes to transfer the membership to the new organisation, the new prospective member would be asked to present the new organisation at the next meeting and confirm their understanding and acceptance of the terms and obligations of the code of practice and rules and to confirm their commitment to them. If the old member company has been acquired by a larger non printing company or group then a senior director of the parent company should participate in the re-presentation to demonstrate their commitment and understanding. Providing the members are in agreement the new company would be allowed ongoing membership without payment of a joining fee.
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What happens when the Member company is bought by a larger organisation with other multiple printing locations?
a. can he continue in membership?
If the existing member company has been acquired by a larger company with multiple printing operations there are likely to be competitive issues to be resolved and the new company must re-apply for membership. Their application will be assessed by the normal membership sub-committee procedures, which should include participation from a senior board member of the parent company at the re-presentation of the company. An important consideration will be the degree of autonomy given to the CEO of the member company, since the parent company could impose policies onto the IPN member company that would be in conflict with our code of practice. Providing that the member and the parent company can guarantee that they can and will uphold the code of practice and rules of the IPN, the company can continue in membership without payment of a joining fee. However if he cannot give that guarantee then his membership will be terminated.
b. Can he subcontract to or from non member subsidiaries?
Consideration should always be given first to place work through an IPN member(s).
c. Can a non member subsidiary use the IPN Network?
One of the objectives of IPN is to maximise new opportunities for member companies but a non-member subsidiary may not access the full benefits of the IPN network or imply that it has membership in any way.
If a non-member has a requirement for distributed print then this should be an arms length transaction with individual IPN members which the non-member can locate via recommendation or the IPN portal. Members accepting work in this way should ensure that by so doing they recognise their obligations to other members and their regional exclusivities and do not alienate them by any breach the IPN code of Practice.
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Confidentiality
What are a members’ obligations under confidentiality?
One of the strengths of the IPN is that when members meet they do so as partners and not as competitors. Information that is given both at meetings and through other contacts and conversations is freely exchanged on the express understanding that it is done so on a confidential basis and should not be divulged or mentioned to anyone outside member companies including anyone from a parent company and all of their non member subsidiaries. Any proven breach of confidentiality would be regarded as a fundamental breach of the code of practice and would render the member liable for immediate cancellation of membership.
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Can another member approach one of my customers or staff?
No. Under the Code of Practice and rules no member or any of their subsidiaries may contact another member’s customer or staff during or after a job without their express permission. Any such breach of the Code of Practice would render the member liable for immediate cancellation of membership.
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Disputes
How are disputes between members resolved?
In the event of a dispute arising between members that they have been unable to resolve between themselves, the dispute will be settled using the disputes procedure and the decision will be final and binding on both parties.
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Eligibility for membership
A company wants to join IPN from an area where there is no established member
A potential member’s application form will be reviewed by the membership sub committee to ensure that all criteria have been met. Any possible conflict as to a geographical location that may be in a competitive territory of another existing IPN member will be verbally discussed with the lay member before the sub-committee authorises associate membership.
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A company operating in multiple locations wants to join IPN. Can this new applicant become a member?
As membership is vested in an individual within a company, membership is granted for a single location and that is normally where the member is located. No membership is granted for the other locations. If there are pre-existing IPN members in some of the applicant’s other locations the scale of any potential conflict of interest will first be discussed verbally between the existing member and the membership sub-committee and then discussed with the applicant before associate membership is granted, and then re-assessed before full membership is granted.
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Exclusivity
Can the IPN admit another new member into my area?
Once a company is in full membership they are entitled to participate in the selection and admittance procedure of new members and can object to a potential new member joining if it can be clearly demonstrated that there is a real conflict of interest or a genuine competitive issue already existing between the two companies. Details of all companies applying for membership are posted on the members only section of the IPN web site and a member raising objections may be invited to serve as one of the members on the membership sub-committee. If the sub-committee is in agreement that the new applicant should join, it will be made clear in writing that no exclusivity can be offered to the new member since that is already vested in the original member for that area.
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How is an area defined?
Because we are a global organisation this will vary according to the geographic location, sometimes it can be as small as a town or city, sometimes a county or state and in other instances can be an entire country. In certain specialised instances the market served by companies will also be considered. Each application is assessed individually by the membership sub-committee in an attempt to minimise any risk of conflicts from the outset. Any possible geographical location that may pose a potential problem for an existing member in that region or locale due to competitive issues will be verbally discussed between that member and the sub-committee before the approval of any applicant. A member is entitled to have his location listed once on the IPN web site. This will normally be the main production site where the member is based. Multiple listings for a single company are not permitted.
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Joining IPN
Hoc can I Join?
Membership of the IPN is highly valued and the route to full membership follows a strict procedure to ensure that our established standards and code of practice are maintained.
Before applying you should read and ensure that you meet the criteria set out in the membership criteria rules.
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How is my application evaluated?
Each application is carefully reviewed by a membership committee who can authorise associate membership to an applicant.
This sub-committee is normally made up as follows:
The Membership Chairman, who is responsible for ensuring the process, is completed in a timely manner. He will initially publish every application on the IPN web site to give all members the opportunity of giving their input to the membership committee on the suitability of the applicant. He will then select the two members to participate in the evaluation process.
Two Board Members who have responsibility for ensuring that the applicant conforms to the membership criteria requirements as defined in the current Membership Criteria Rules.
Two members with responsibility for identifying any competitive issues.
The Company Secretary with responsibility for ensuring that the application documentation has been completed correctly and that all other aspects of the criteria have been complied with.
Any or all of the above may find it necessary to contact an applicant to clarify any issue in relation to the application.
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Who can be the member?
A member company must have someone in executive authority within the company who is willing to make a personal commitment to IPN, and who is willing to attend two meetings per year. This executive authority may be the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director or majority shareholder.
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Who owns the membership?
Corporate membership is not permitted – it is the individual with executive authority within the company who is the member of the IPN on behalf of his company which, during his membership, will be a member company.
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When do I become a full member?
After the associate member has attended three meetings the member companies present will vote on whether or not to take the associate member into full membership. If following a positive membership vote the associate members elects not to take up full membership, no fees will be refunded.
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How much does it cost?
There is a joining fee which together with the first year’s membership totals £5000 payable upon entry into associate membership. The annual cost thereafter is £2500 per year payable in two equal half yearly instalments. In addition, all fees are subject to UK Value Added Tax at the applicable rate in force at the date of invoicing.
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Working together
General Information
Since the IPN is a global organisation, and custom and practices vary across the world it is essential that IPN members all work to the same set of standards. A cornerstone of this is the Code of Practice and Rules which set out the way that members will work together and their obligations to one another.
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Can I be confident in passing my work to another IPN member?
All work passing between members is handled on an arms length basis between the two members. However any breach of the code of practice by the member accepting work from another IPN member would leave them liable to expulsion from the group. Members can be confident that sub-contracted work will be produced to the same standards of quality and reliability that they would achieve in their own plant.
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Do I have to send work to an IPN member?
Members are encouraged to work together, but in the final event it is the company placing the work that makes the final decision on commercial grounds. However, every consideration should be made to provide work to IPN members before subcontracting to any non member companies including any subsidiaries in a parent company network.
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