The press deal, signed last Thursday, flies in the face of industry speculation that the contract had been won by MAN Roland (printweek.com, 15 July) and is seen as a real vote of confidence in the sale of Heidelberg's web division to Goss.
"We have received every assurance that we will continue to receive the highest level of service and support for our existing and future press installations," said Polestar chief executive Barry Hibbert. "We have no concerns regarding the future of the business."
The installation of a Sunday 4000 at Polestar Petty in May also helped clinch the new deal. "It was very hard fought, but we installed a press at Polestar Petty and that went extremely well," said John Chambers, Heidelberg divisional web director.
MAN Roland GB web director Norman Revill said: "We are upset not to do business with Polestar on this occasion. The UK has been a particularly good marketplace for MAN Roland this year and a massive worldwide order book in Augsburg meant we were unable to meet the delivery dates that Barry and his team wanted."
Installation of the Colchester press is due to start in February 2005, with plans to go operational in April. The firm will need to modify the press hall prior to the installation.
Two Ferag Unidrum stitching lines, part of a deal for six signed earlier this year, are also part of the investment. The first is set go live in September, and the second in January 2005. The other four are already operational at Polestar Petty.
This year's contract wins for Colchester include GP for Haymarket, Public for Guardian and Sussex Life for Archant. As of May next year Colchester, in conjunction with Petty, will also begin printing 3.5m-4m copies a week of the Mail on Saturday's Weekend supplement as part of Polestar's five-year deal with Associated Newspapers (printweek.com, 1 July).
The transfer of Heidelberg's web division to Goss is expected come into force in the next few weeks. As far as the UK division goes the most likely scenario is that the only part of the company to relocate to Preston will be the parts store and back office support. There should be no change for sales and service staff as they are located geographically.
Story by Darryl Danielli
