NewsFax has topped off its 15m investment in a new division, NewsPrinters, with an Agfa CTP system.

The 600,000 system includes two Polaris 150 platesetters, Intellinet workflow and a Barenschee punch-bender.

NewsPrinters will go live producing "a small proportion" of the Financial Times later this month. The remainder will continue to be produced by West Ferry.

A spokeswoman for the FT said: "We want to make sure that we have the most flexible production capacity." Neither company was willing to reveal the value, volume or length of the contract.

NewsPrinters is currently running print tests on its two MAN Roland Uniset 70 presses at its 35,000m2 factory in Bow.

NewsFax is also in discussions with other publishers about further work for NewsPrinters, according to managing director Tom Johnson.

He expects the companys current turnover of 12m to increase by 30% due to the additional capacity.

Agfas Polaris platesetter was chosen after he considered other systems, including the Mitsubishi Western Lithotech DiamondSetter and Autologic machines.

"We were impressed with the Polaris installation at Newsquest Weymouth, which also feeds MAN Roland Uniset 70s," said Johnson.

NewsPrinters will also use N91 photopolymer plates supplied by Agfa.

It has no immediate plans to go CTP at its existing site, which is also in Bow.

Story by Barney Cox