The deal with Goss International is for an incredible six presses: two 96pp Sunday 5000 models, two 64pp Sunday 4000 short-grain presses, and a brace of 16pp M600s.
Chief executive Barry Hibbert described the re-equipping as "the largest single spend in print technology worldwide for some time."
He said: "Despite the economic climate, Polestar has been in positive discussion with our customers for some time and the commitment through long-term contracts has enabled us to achieve this significant investment."
Polestar has been looking at various options for web offset reinvestment over the past year. Executives were scoping out web presses at Drupa and PrintWeek revealed that a potential web offset supersite was on the cards last May.
Four months ago the group acquired Goodhead Group and its web offset ‘supersite’ BGP out of administration, a deal that provided a stepping stone to today’s mammoth re-equipping news.
Polestar’s announcement does not include details about where the new presses will be installed, or when.
Goss, through its owner Shanghai Electric, has helped facilitate the huge spend, according to the statement from Goss International chief executive Rick Nichols, who said: "Our global product portfolio and unique financial service capabilities have paved the way for this comprehensive solution for Polestar. This agreement emphasizes Goss’ position as the premier provider in our industry and recognizes our ability to meet the changing needs of customers."
All the presses will be fitted with the latest closed-loop colour controls and the latest quality management technology. Polestar’s 96pp presses will be configured with three shared pinless folders to give maximum output flexibility.
The 64pp short-grain models will be fitted with Tolerans inline stitching systems, which Polestar said would make the presses capable of producing 16pp sections at 220,000cph.
The Goss Sunday 5000 96pp press is already established on the continent. Italian printer Graphiche Mazzucchelli installed the world’s first in 2009, followed by Altair in Spain, and Germany’s Stark Druck has subsequently bought two.
More to follow, including industry reaction. See separate story.
