Two of the plants four presses will move to Polestars European operations and two will stay at UK locations still to be decided.

If theres one thing thats irritating the hell out of me, its Chromoworks, Polestar chief executive Barry Hibbert told PrintWeek. We have an unusual set of circumstances there, with some dominant people who question our right to manage the business, he added. The workforce decided up yours we would rather not have a job at all. They dont believe us when we say the market is tough. Our preferred option would still be to keep it going but we are in injury time now.

In contrast, Hibbert cited Greaves as a success story, where the workforce had understood the steps necessary to be competitive.

Polestar has also confirmed its 6.7m (E11m) order with PPS for a 64pp MAN Roland Lithoman web. Its Watford plant, where it would replace two ageing presses, is the preferred destination. Installation should begin in April.

Jasper Scott, group manufacturing director of IPC, which prints TV Times and Whats on TV at Watford, said: I hope it will be the first of many new investments by Polestar over the next few years. I am concerned about the general lack of investment being made in the UK and fear its falling behind the industry in mainland Europe.

PPS web sales director Norman Revill said: This will put Polestar in a strong position. They are refocused and back on track.

Polestar Greaves also has a new managing director, Stephen Mears, formerly of Bezier Labels. He takes over on Monday (4 March) from Richard Grey, who will oversee the group-wide implementation of Prism QTMS System 3.

Former Greaves managing director Peter Watson is returning to Polestar as managing director of Jowetts.

Story by Jo Francis