The new MAN Roland web will replace the mothballed G44 at the factory.

Web division managing director David Emeny signed the order at the show, and also confirmed the spend on a seven section Ferag UniDrum high speed gathering, stitching and inserting line for Peterborough's bindery, announced with St Ives' interim results last month. The investment represents a 12m initial spend at the site. "It's the first stage of our overall reinvestment in the web division. We intend to retain our market position," Emeny said.

It's a hugely significant order for Ferag's UK sales division WRH Marketing, as it will be the first major Ferag installation at the group. "The reason we've been successful is the massive breakthrough we've made in feeding technology for consistency of feed, makeready times and format changeovers," said WRH managing director Marcus Evans.

Installation of the Ferag system begins in three-to-four weeks and it will be operational by autumn.

MAN Roland GB web director Norman Revill said he was delighted to secure the press order. "I think we've built a fantastic relationship over the years with St Ives. We showed them how safe and sound the Lithoman technology is and won them over it's great."

The four-unit, 42,500cph  web will be installed at the beginning of next year, and is scheduled to be running by April 2005.

Peterborough currently runs three Heidelberg Harris M850 eight-unit 64pp webs, but it's understood the current hiatus regarding the future of Heidelberg's web division effectively ruled the company out of the running for the order. KBA also pitched hard, and staff from Peterborough went to see the new 48pp Compacta at Woodford Litho.

The plant will probably decomission one of the 850s after the Lithoman is installed.

The press upgrade programme at Peterborough will be phased and is likely to involved a further two presses.

It prints a number of high-volume time-sensitive weeklies, including The Economist and Emap's Heat.

Story by Jo Francis at Drupa