As reported in September, three towers – one of them heatset – are being added to the manroland Uniset 75 press in two stages.

Two eight-couple towers, a folder and splicers have been craned through the roof, and will increase coldset capacity by up to 32 all-colour tabloid pages. The line will then consist of six towers and two folders.

A further tower, splicer and Megtec dryer are to be installed in a second stage. This will enable glossy publications and inserts to be produced, with facilities to mix heatset and coldset.

The plant prints the WA edition of Fairfax daily the ‘Australian Financial Review’ and a variety of tabloid products including real estate and tourism publications, operating on a 24/6 basic.

Fairfax chief executive, print and distribution Bob Lockley says the upgrade is a major investment in the group’s WA business.

“This investment indicates our confidence in the future, both of the West Australian market and the continuing demand for mass produced printed products and publications,” he says. “We will be able to provide a much wider variety of products both coldset and heatset than was previously possible with a great deal of flexibility within the plant.”

manroland Australasia managing director Steve Dunwell says Fairfax is “one of our great customers”.

“When completed this installation will be a major leap forward for web printing in the state,” he says.

Pictured: Towers being delivered to Fairfax Media plant in Mandurah (Picture manroland)