Cron's G-Class range, which was unveiled at the All in Print show in Shanghai last month, includes two devices capable of imaging plates up to 1,670 x 1,290mm and 1,850 x 1,422mm respectively.

Both models are available with UV, thermal and violet laser systems and offer resolutions up to 3,000dpi. Output speeds vary depending on the laser technology up to a maximum of 28 plates per hour.

Derek Sizer, managing director of HighWater CTP, said: "The very large format market is becoming more competitive across many world markets as presses of an equivalent size grow in popularity.

"The release of the G-Class products is a direct response to customer demand and Cron has been keen to create a product suited to all major markets with the availability of equipment using the three major laser light sources."

He described the new machines as "very competitive" on price with the thermal VLF starting from £165,000 and the UV VLF from £175,000.

Automatic plate loading, with a capacity of up to 50 plates, is available as an option on all models, while plate thicknesses from 0.15mm to 0.4mm can be accommodated.

The machines are currently undergoing beta testing at a number of sites in Asia and are scheduled for European launch at Drupa 2012, when HighWater will be looking to agree a number of European test sites.

Sizer said that the company had earmarked a couple of potential customers in Germany after receiving enquiries from printers with Lüscher CTP equipment. He added that the new Cron machines were "very competitive" on price and output speed compared with existing models.

Last month, HighWater claimed its most successful sales quarter since becoming the sole agent for Cron after the Chinese manufacturer bought the company's assets out of liquidation in March 2010.