The group is set to install the machine in May, its second 64pp press in the space of six months, when it takes delivery of a Heidelberg Sunday 4000.

The Heidelberg press will be equipped with fully automatic plate change, an Ecocool dryer and Closed Loop Colour control.

Polestar ordered a 64pp MAN Roland Lithoman as part of a 16m three-year investment plan for Petty last summer (PrintWeek, 10 July).

The new presses, coupled with equipment moved as a result of the closure of Polestars Watford plant, means that two of Pettys G16s will be decommissioned later this year. By the end of September the plant will house six 64pp presses.

Polestar Petty managing director Lindsay Atkinson said: With six 64pp presses and a 16pp cover press, we are able to offer unrivalled technology, quality and productivity for our customers, while containing capacity at a sensible level.

Atkinson added that Polestar opted for the Sunday 4000, as opposed to another MAN Roland Lithoman, because it had automatic plate change technology and a smaller cut off at 620mm.

Polestar has also revealed that it is likely to exercise its option to buy a third Cerutti gravure press, which it will install early next year at its greenfield project, the location of which has yet to be confirmed.

Polestar Group chief executive Barry Hibbert said that the group had always had the option to buy a third press since negotiations started with Cerutti. The order could be placed in April.

[We] feel that now is the right time to confirm this, to ensure that we have new gravure technology coming through without delay over the next 12-18 months, said Hibbert.

The first two 3.88m-wide Cerutti presses were ordered earlier this year (PrintWeek, 15 January).

Story by John Davies