The informal deal between the two suppliers will begin this month with a series of open days at GAE's Perivale base. Litho Supplies, which has a head office in Bristol, will be showing the B3 HighWater Cobra metal platesetter (pictured) at the event, which takes place on 21-23 February, and GAE will show Mitsubishi, Screen and Horizon kit.

"The deal is at an early stage, but this is the first step in what we hope will be a long and fruitful relationship," said GAE joint managing director Bryan Godwyn. "Strategic partnerships are more important than ever."

But he added that it would not mean that GAE would be "going out to sell plates and consumables", but that it would work with Litho to sell "bundle packages".

Godwyn also said there would not be a conflict between GAE's Shinohara Uno and Litho Supplies' KBA Genius. He said that both presses were sold to different markets.

Litho Supplies group sales director Eddie Williams added: "The open days will help us sell to a very strong customer base. We're assisting GAE as it has a complete press and bindery offering but needed more on the pre-press side."

To arrange a visit to the open days, contact GAE on 020 8997 8053.