Polestar is poised to embark on a mammoth 8m spend on CTP across all its operations.

"As far as I can tell this is one of the largest investments in CTP in the world," said chief executive Barry Hibbert.

The group is currently reviewing proposals from CTP suppliers, and a decision is expected imminently. Hibbert said the installation timetable was "as quick as we can get the kit in".

Polestar currently runs CreoScitex CTP systems at Watmoughs in Bradford and at East Kilbride. The spend will see it go CTP across all of its web plants at a stroke, as well as at its other peripheral operations. The groups gravure plants already employ digital engraving technology.

"Printers have held back because there hasnt been the uptake among magazine publishers. But recently this has accelerated at a fast pace its gone through the barrier of critical mass," he added. "One of the biggest reasons for this uptake is the first generation data. This clarity is what publishers are looking for."

Peter Pretlove, managing director of Polestar Imaging, is heading the project. The group expects to appoint a single hardware supplier and will create a joint team to oversee implementation. "Its important that we have a close working partnership," Hibbert stated. "CreoScitex has to be in the running, but their competitors are catching up fast and we have some very interesting proposals."

The CTP roll-out plan will begin with Polestars Watford and Colchester, followed by Petty, Chantry, Watmoughs, Corporate Print, Chromoworks and Anglia.

Polestar has devised what it believes is a unique front-end workflow solution to serve its print sites, and will create three imaging hubs at Watford, Colchester and Leeds/Bradford. This hub approach has been developed to avoid duplication of front-end equipment and the necessary skill sets at every location, Hibbert explained.

Polestar believes the setup will offer unrivalled flexibility, as well as a seamless back-up facility should one hub fail.

On a more general note, Hibbert said that Polestar was in pretty good shape, and described the groups forward order book as "very healthy". "We are pretty much full until mid-January, but paginations and run lengths are uncertain which makes things difficult for production planning.

"However, forward projections for our industry are not looking good. Theres too much capacity and going forward there is going to be some shakeout uncompetitive presses cant remain."

Story by Jo Francis