Newspapers published by Guardian Media Group and Trinity Mirror are to benefit from a £45m joint investment in new press technology.

They have agreed to jointly buy four state-of-the-art press and inserting lines which will be housed at the Mirror Colour Print site in Oldham, replacing four of its existing nine presses.

The move will see the printing of all of GMG’s regional titles in the north west of England, which includes the Manchester Evening News, moved from its Trafford Park centre to Oldham in early 2006 as part of a 15-year agreement between the two publishers.

The new first edition of the MEN is already printed at Oldham, and once work on the new presses is complete the further three editions of the MEN and will also be transferred along with the Manchester Metro News and the Express, Reporter, Observer, Times and Advertiser series of local newspapers in Greater Manchester.

Trinity Mirror’s national titles and the Huddersfield Daily Examiner will also continue to be printed there.

The partnership is part of the publishers’ wider manufacturing strategy of enhancing quality while reducing costs and future capital expenditure.

Trinity Mirror chief executive Sly Bailey, 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, said: “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.”

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