Gravure Plant Opens Its Doors For Previews

Over three days, Polestar Sheffield welcomed 40 clients from 16 companies, for a presentation and tour of its new greenfield gravure plant.

Over three days, Polestar Sheffield welcomed 40 clients from 16 companies, for a presentation and tour of its new greenfield gravure plant.

None of the guests had visited the plant before and Polestar said that they were impressed not only by how much has been achieved in such a short space of time but also by the equipment already in place.

Of his first impression, Adrian Fitches, European print production manager at Lands End, said: "The progress that has been made since Polestar broke ground on the new gravure site is astounding.

Even though the site is obviously in its development stage, the efficiency with which this project has been put together is impressive.

It is clear that the team has been effective in the implementation of this investment and the goal of reaching productivity and quality on this site is a priority.

I look forward to seeing the site towards the end of the summer when it is fully operational." With one press already installed and a Ferag Unidrum system up and running, the visitors were able to see work continuing on the installation of the second Cerutti press and a further three Unidrum lines.

The pre-press department is fully functioning and the company has one Polystream gathering line in production.

Philip Adlem, the sales and commercial director for Polestar Sheffield, said: "The feedback from the open days has been extremely positive, with visitors bowled over by what they saw.

However, whilst it is a flagship gravure plant for the group, it is part of a wider investment programme which includes our web offset businesses, Polestar Chantry and Polestar Petty and our digital businesses in Nottingham and Exeter." Recruitment of staff for Polestar Sheffield is continuing, with over 100 employees already on site.

Team leaders in the press area have either transferred from Polestar's other gravure sites or are experienced publication gravure printers, whilst a number of printers who have joined from web offset companies across the UK are currently half way through a 12-week training programme on gravure printing.

In the bindery, a number of employees have joined from outside the industry, bringing a wide range of mechanical and engineering skills and experience said the company.

At management level, the company said that Phil Boynes, currently the production manager of News International's Knowsley plant, has been appointed operations director.

He will join the company on May 3.

Although a marine engineer by profession, Boynes has spent 16 years in the printing industry, with experience gained from roles at The Mirror Group and West Ferry Printers.

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