Trinity Mirror To Print Guardian Media Group Titles
Trinity Mirror has announced a landmark deal with the Guardian Media Group to share a £45 million investment in new printing equipment, a move which will see Trinity take on a 15-year contract to print GMG’s regional titles in the North West, starting in early 2006.
The GMG titles, published by subsidiary firm Greater Manchester Newspapers, include the Manchester Evening News, Manchester Metro News as well as the Express, Reporter, Observer, Times and Advertiser series of local newspapers in Greater Manchester.
The investment will bring four state-of-the-art press and inserting lines to Trinity Mirror’s Mirror Colour Print plant in Oldham and will greatly increase the colour and inserting capability both Trinity Mirror and Greater Manchester Newspaper’s titles in the North West.
The move was made as part of a continued plan to reduce costs and future capital expenditure at both newspaper companies, while simultaneously enhancing quality across their portfolio of titles.
Commenting on the move Sly Bailey, chief executive of Trinity Mirror, said: “This collaborative approach will deliver great value for all concerned. Both parties will benefit from what will be the most advanced printing presses in the world. The joint investment will enable Trinity Mirror to deliver a better service to readers and advertisers while significantly reducing the cost of re-pressing at the Oldham site.”
Ian Ashcroft, chief executive of GMG Regional, added: “The move to Oldham means all GMG’s regional newspapers in the North West will be printed in full colour at the same plant. Combining with MCP maximises efficient use of pre-press, press and post-press capacity and has facilitated purchase of equipment to the highest technical specification in a plant with a proven track record.”
Trinity Mirror recently appointed Georgina Crace as managing director of its regional newspaper business, following the departure of Stephen Parker earlier this year. Pressure will now be on Crace to reduce costs at the publisher, an aim which the latest move appears to be addressing (see Trinity Mirror Appoints New MD For Regional Newspapers).
Trinity Mirror: 020 7293 3000www.trinitymirrorplc.uk
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