Chief executive Tim Bowdler said the regional newspaper publisher planned to build a new press centre in Sheffield on a greenfield site.

Its very early days, we have yet to acquire a site, but there are several that we are looking at. Weve yet to place an order but the production capabilities will be 196pp of full colour, said Bowdler.

Expenditure on the new press centre will be phased from 2004 to 2006, by which time it will be operational.

Bowdler said Johnston Press was talking to a number of press manufacturers. It is believed that Goss, KBA and MAN Roland are among those in the running.

A source at an equipment manufacturer said: The gloves are on and were just waiting for the bell.

For the six months to 30 June, Johnston Press turnover rose 28% to 248.5m compared to the same period last year, while pre-tax profit grew 51% to 66.7m.

The print divisions operating profit increased by 14% to 2m, reflecting additional volumes and improved performance.

Bowdler said performance at the groups printing plants at Northampton, Peterborough and Portsmouth had improved.

Earlier this year Johnston Press announced upgrades to its Sunderland and Leeds plants with investment in Goss print machinery and Agfa Polaris platesetters (PrintWeek, 21 March).

Story by John Davies