The most famous contract in the UK logistics market has landed in the hands of a different vendor, Logistics Manager announced today. Rupert Murdoch, owner of News International, has opted for DHL instead of Ceva Logistics to deliver some 25 million newspapers to wholesalers across England and Wales.

The multimillion-pound, five-year deal entails road transport from four printing plants to 68 wholesalers throughout the region 364 days per year, according to International Freighting Weekly.

News of the deal follows an upgrade of News International's printing presses in Broxbourne, reported by Logistics Manager on October 22. Automation of the site was part of a £650 million initiative by the corporation, which produces half of its demand for The Times, News of the World, The Sunday Times, and The Sun (nicknamed the Currant bun) at this location.

The contract became famous during the 1980s when News International turned to a road courier during the Wapping newspaper strike. In doing so, the media giant unintentionally revolutionised news delivery.