The Express order, part of an upgrade of the publisher's printing facilities that the Express claims will cost £100m, comprises 22 KBA Commander CT 4/2 compact towers, in a parallel configuration.

Klaus Schmidt, KBA senior vice-president marketing and communications, said the company was not permitted to reveal any further details, and the location of the installation remains the subject of a huge amount of industry speculation.

The compact Commander design means it can potentially fit into smaller industrial buildings than typical newspaper press installations.

At the show, KBA is running four presses on its striking doubledecker stand (6/D560), including a new version of its Rapida 75 B2 machine, the 75E.

"‘E' stands for ecology and economy. This press has half the power consumption of comparable presses," Schmidt stated.

The press is being demonstrated with a power counter gauge showing the KWh being consumed as it runs. A cut-down model, the 75C, which is speed limited to 13,500sph, also joins the range.

Its flagship B1 press, the Rapida 106, is also being shown with Flying Job Change for ultraquick makereadies. Alderson Brothers directors Peter and Ron Alderson were spotted having a detailed look at the press earlier this week.