Polestar plans for new webs take shape

Polestar is set to confirm the chosen location for the first tranche of its new web presses next month.

PrintWeek understands the group is in negotiations with the landlord at its Sheffield gravure site about adding an extension to that facility.

The extension would be large enough to contain four web presses.

Polestar is set to install its two Goss International 96pp Sunday 5000 presses first, followed by a 64pp short-grain Sunday web, which also uses the 5000 platform.

It also has spare space available within the existing gravure facility.

As part of the reinvention of its web offset platform kit from Polestar Colchester is also set to be relocated within the group, including the site’s M4000 and possibly a Ferag binding line.

According to a report in local Colchester newspaper the Gazette, the firm’s M4000 is to be relocated to Bicester. However, sources told PrintWeek that the press was more likely to be moved to Chantry in Wakefield.

The original plans involved having the two 96pp presses up and running in the first half of 2014, but PrintWeek understands this is now more likely to be during the latter half of next year.

Polestar chief executive Barry Hibbert declined to comment on the details at this time. He said: "We are still in discussions with all parties, we expect to have things concluded by the end of October."

The £50m order with Goss is for six presses in total: two 96pp Sunday 5000 presses, two short-grain 64pp presses and two 16pp M600 cover presses.

Polestar has secured a slew of contract renewals this year, including work for Titan, Immediate Media, the BMJ and Private Eye.