Amid fears over prices and availability, the printing arm of UK newspaper publisher Reach has signed an agreement for a five-year plate supply.

The agreement between Reach – which was previously known as known as Trinity Mirror – and Fujifilm follows a competitive tender process, although the two had been working together for more than a decade.

As it looked to test the market, Reach Printing Services also checked out new technologies including those for processless plates, and the environmental credentials of prospective suppliers.

Reach managing director Graham Poulett (pictured) said they needed Fujifilm to prove that it was still the best partner for the future. “We invited a number of companies to pitch for our business for the next five-year period, and ultimately felt that Fujifilm had the most to offer us,” he said. “Ours is a rapidly changing market sector and having a technology partner able to innovate with the pace of change is vital.”