The deal was signed in May with a six-month installation programme getting underway in June.
The upgrades will take place in Johnston’s three dedicated printing sites in Dinnington (South Yorkshire), Portsmouth and Carn (Northern Ireland).
Johnston Press first began using Agfa's CTP systems in 2001.
Across the sites 10 existing Polaris platesetters, which were installed between eight and 10 years ago, will be replaced with Agfa’s new Advantage N-XXT machines and Agfa Attiro clean-out units. The chemistry-free Advantage N range of platesetters were launched in May this year and include modifications to the previous models’ punch and bending systems.
According to Agfa, the clean-out units reduce the need for maintenance by more than 70% and also reduce gum usage by 50%.
David Crow, managing director for print and logistics at Johnston Press, said the agreement had been “a long time in the making” and that the company did review offers from other vendors but wanted to continue its “long-standing, working relationship” with Agfa.
Sortation systems at the three sites will also be replaced, starting with Portsmouth in the third quarter of this year, followed by Dinnington and Carn in the final quarter.
Agfa Graphics newspaper sales manager Nick Lazell said: “We are delighted to have retained our long-standing working relationship with Johnston Press. The contract underlines Agfa Graphics’ commitment to offering complete solutions to the newspaper industry. This is a major endorsement of Agfa Graphics’ technology, reliability, proven support team and environmental focus.”
Agfa will also be upgrading Johnston’s workflow software systems, with Johnston testing Agfa’s new cloud offerings. Agfa already have a number of sites running its cloud-based programmes across Europe.
Its IntelliTune image normalising software, which Johnston has been using for a number of years, is set to be upgraded, and its Agfa Sublima Screening software will be installed on each of its RIPs.
Agfa's newspaper-focused support team will provide regular servicing of all the systems for the duration of the contract.
In April, Johnston Press acquired the i newspaper from ESI Media.
