Guardian Media Group is moving the production of its North West regional titles, including the Manchester Evening News (MEN) from Trafford Park Press to Oldham under a 15-year contract starting in 2006.

"The move to Oldham means all GMG's regional newspapers in the North West will be printed in full colour at the same plant," said GMG Regional chief executive Ian Ashcroft. "Combining with MCP maximises efficient use of pre-press, press and post-press."

The move of the regional titles out of Trafford Park is to make way for the presses that the firm will install to print The Guardian and The Observer when they switch to Berliner format.

MEN said that the move to Berliner format meant there was no room at Trafford Park for presses to print the regional tabloid titles.

The first edition of MEN began production at MCP Oldham at the beginning of this month. Over the next two years the other three editions will also move.

GMG chief executive Bob Phillis revealed that the firm was reviewing printing of the MEN as part of a move to full colour, including the possibility of moving production from Trafford Park in the summer.

As well as the Wifag the 45m investment includes the replacement of the mailroom with Ferag kit. The press will be installed between October 2005 and June 2006 replacing four of the nine MAN Roland presses on the site. The double width press, which runs at 85,000cph for a 96pp four-colour tabloid, will have 12 fully automated reel stands, 12 units, semi-automatic plate changing and closed loop controls for cut-off register, colour register and ink-density.

Its design allows it to be upgraded to direct imaging (DI) of the plates on press in the future if required. The technology for DI is currently being beta tested at DZO in Zurich, Switzerland.

Story by Barney Cox