Trinity Mirror CTP manager David Booth said: "We already have three of the older version, green thermal LS Jet platesetters at Oldham and they have served us well, so we wanted continuation."

At 300 plates per hour, the platesetters are the fastest in their range, and both will come with an in-line processor and Nela VCP Evolution punch/bender. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

The Oldham-bound machine will support an existing MAN Roland Colorman 35 press, as well as the new Wifag OF371 which was purchased in a 45m joint investment with Guardian Mirror Group last November. Fuji LP-NV plates will be used.

"We have an ongoing project to update Trinity Mirror's existing CTP lines at Oldham, which is set for completion by the end of the year," said Krause CTP sales and marketing manager Stefan Beke-Bramkamp.

Recent improvements to the LS Jet II include an ultrasonic sensor that can detect plate thickness, so any plate that has an object stuck to it, such as another plate, is instantly discarded without affecting production. Its direct-drive replaces the spindle method on the older models, meaning fewer moving parts, and according to Beke-Bramkamp, less maintenance.

Speaking at Newstec where the Oldham machine was on show before being shipped directly to the site, Beke-Bramkamp said that the Trinity Mirror deal was just one of Krause's recent successes.

"This year we have made some significant sales in Scandinavia, Germany and India. We are currently 70% over our sales target for the year."

Story by Noli Dinkovski