The four-year deal is worth just under 1 million per year to Fuji, who previously supplied 10% of the Preston-based printer's plates.

"Often in newspapers they have two suppliers, which is understandable in case one fails," said Fujifilm marketing manager Graham Leeson. "For the company to put all their faith in us is very positive."

"Our pre-press operatives have been able to switch to a two-weekly processor cleaning cycle, and we are having to dispose of 50% less waste. It's a win-win situation," said Broughton Printers chief executive David Broadhurst.

Broughton is running Fujifilm's Brillia LP-NN2 CTP photopolymer plate output on Western Lithotech DiamondSetter platesetters. The firm will also use three Haase OE-43-105 CTP plate processors. Under the agreement, Fujifilm's LP-DZ developer and LP-DRZ replenisher low-replenishment chemistry have been introduced at the plant.

Story  by Josh Brooks