The group has ordered a 64pp MAN Roland Lithoman as part of a 16m investment plan for the plant over the next two to three years, which will see the foundations laid for a further three 64pp presses. The new press is scheduled to arrive this September.

The new Lithoman will join the plants existing arsenal of three 64pp G16s, one G14 and a MAN Roland Lithoman III 64pp short-grain press.

Polestar chief executive Barry Hibbert said that the group had considered building a greenfield operation, but had decided to invest in Pettys workforce. "We had some very good offers from regional development agencies. We could have gone for the greenfield option, which would have given us a better layout. But that was all outweighed by Pettys workforce. They have always been flexible and have a great skill set.

Petty will be reconfigured to give us a world class manufacturing workflow. It will be built up to become the largest 64pp press operation in Europe, said Hibbert.

Although the plant will potentially be able to house eight 64pp presses, there are no concrete plans yet for how many it will eventually have.

There had been recent industry speculation that a 64pp web from elsewhere within Polestar would be moved to Petty, and the announcement of the investment is sure to raise questions about the long-term viability of Polestar's Watford plant. However, Hibbert said the two plants worked in conjunction with each other: "Both are 64pp houses and there's always an element of interchange between the two."

The move will also focus attention on St Ives' plans for upgrading its 64pp facility at Peterborough.

The investment plan for Petty also includes new bindery equipment. Muller Martini and Ferag along with other alternatives are currently going through a selection process.

It is unknown whether the plans for the Leeds plant are linked to the up-for-renewal contract for IPCs TV listings and women's weekly magazines, which Polestar is pitching hard to retain. "Obviously IPC will be interested in our investment plans," Hibbert added.

Story by John Davies