Northern & Shell (N&S) has finally acquired its own print plant after it bought the Express Newspaper Group, including its 50% stake in West Ferry Printers, in a surprise 125m deal.


N&S first brought repro in-house in 1993 and two years later it looked into setting up a print plant. But that plan was shelved after OK! magazine switched from monthly to weekly publication. OK! is printed at Quebecor in France.


As well as the West Ferry stake, the Express Newspaper Group includes the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Daily Star titles.


There had been questions raised as to whether United News & Media could include the Express Group's print manufacturing interests in the deal, as co-owner The Telegraph Group had pre-emptive rights or first refusal on the other half.


West Ferry is the most profitable element of the Express Group. Last year it recorded a turnover of 83.66m with pre-tax profits of 6.9m, shared by the two partners.


In 1999, Express Newspaper Group generated revenues of 269.9m and operating profits of 13.8m.


United News and Media chief executive Lord Hollick said: "We wish the papers, and their new owners, who have made their intention clear to invest in future growth, all the best for the next phase of development."


N&S' other titles include Penthouse UK and Asian Babes as well as adult cable channel, Television X.


It has also been reported that N&S owner Richard Desmond is planning to float the company, and the Express acquisition would give weight to those plans.


Story by John Davies