Slowe took up his new role on Monday (2 September) after seven years as sales director for the company, with a brief spell as interim managing director in 2006, following the departure of Simon Ricketts. Slowe takes over from former managing director Garry Colyer who is retiring from full time work to take up a consultancy role and to spend more time with his family. Colyer said: “Rob has earned this promotion; he has been a huge support to me and has managed the publishing market for us with great integrity, effect and in line with our direction. “He is the right man to take the company forward. Rob’s skills and knowledge, especially of the newer printing technologies, will help Arctic Paper UK continue to develop successfully.” As Arctic Paper UK managing director Slowe will head a team of nine and report directly to acting chief executive for the Arctic Paper Group, Wolfgang Lübbert. Globally the group employs around 1,830 people and has a total annual production capacity of 765,000 tonnes from its four European paper mills....

The non-exclusive contract comprises 17 monthly titles, including Simpsons, Batman and Superman comics and the work will be spread across the company’s Chantry, Petty and Bicester sites. Polestar has held the contract with Titan since May 2011, before which the work was split between St Ives and Wyndeham. The contract was won by Polestar following Walstead Investment’s acquisition of St Ives web division earlier that year. Titan Publishing print and paper buyer Kevin Wooff said other printers had been considered for the contract but that Polestar could best meet its requirements this time. He added: “We awarded the contract to Polestar because since they took on our portfolio they have given really good service, quality and prices.” Polestar sales director David Gray said: “We are delighted that Titan Publishing Group has endorsed Polestar with this new deal by continuing our relationship on this portfolio of extremely strong brands.”...

The non-exclusive contract comprises 17 monthly titles, including Simpsons, Batman and Superman comics and the work will be spread across the company’s Chantry, Petty and Bicester sites. Polestar has held the contract with Titan since May 2011, before which the work was split between St Ives and Wyndeham. The contract was won by Polestar following Walstead Investment’s acquisition of St Ives web division earlier that year. Titan Publishing print and paper buyer Kevin Wooff said other printers had been considered for the contract but that Polestar could best meet its requirements this time. He added: “We awarded the contract to Polestar because since they took on our portfolio they have given really good service, quality and prices.” Polestar sales director David Gray said: “We are delighted that Titan Publishing Group has endorsed Polestar with this new deal by continuing our relationship on this portfolio of extremely strong brands.”...

The Telford-based firm is adding a second Komori System 38 web to its pressroom, having acquired a secondhand model in “excellent condition” from a printer on the continent as part of a multi-million pound upgrade of its facilities. “We need it to grow, and it potentially gives us another 45% capacity growth from where we are at the moment,” said managing director Alex Evans. “That’s not going to happen from day one, it will be staggered over a number of years,” he explained. “A lot depends on what happens in the marketplace.” The Komori is configured with eight units and can produce 32pp duplex sections or two 16pp sections. PCP already runs a 16pp System 38, as well as a 32pp Manroland Rotoman. An older Goss Universal semi-commercial web at its factory will be taken out of production early in 2014. The firm also has sheetfed and digital printing facilities. “The new Komori is nice and flexible, similar to our Rotoman,” Evans added. It is being installed in the press hall that used to house PCP’s Wifag newspaper line, and is set to begin live production at the end of September. The bindery upgrade includes a new Muller Martini Primera E140 stitching line, with further additional finishing kit on the cards for the future. “We will continue to put automation into the plant to remain lean and keep our unit cost competitive,” Evans said. The firm runs 24/7, has turnover of £37m and employs 208 staff. It produces a wide cross-section of web offset products including B2B magazines, catalogues, and direct mail. Evans said 67% of its current capacity was contractual fill. PCP is part of the Claverley Group, which owns a raft of regional newspapers and online media brands....

The Telford-based firm is adding a second Komori System 38 web to its pressroom, having acquired a secondhand model in “excellent condition” from a printer on the continent as part of a multi-million pound upgrade of its facilities. “We need it to grow, and it potentially gives us another 45% capacity growth from where we are at the moment,” said managing director Alex Evans. “That’s not going to happen from day one, it will be staggered over a number of years,” he explained. “A lot depends on what happens in the marketplace.” The Komori is configured with eight units and can produce 32pp duplex sections or two 16pp sections. PCP already runs a 16pp System 38, as well as a 32pp Manroland Rotoman. An older Goss Universal semi-commercial web at its factory will be taken out of production early in 2014. The firm also has sheetfed and digital printing facilities. “The new Komori is nice and flexible, similar to our Rotoman,” Evans added. It is being installed in the press hall that used to house PCP’s Wifag newspaper line, and is set to begin live production at the end of September. The bindery upgrade includes a new Muller Martini Primera E140 stitching line, with further additional finishing kit on the cards for the future. “We will continue to put automation into the plant to remain lean and keep our unit cost competitive,” Evans said. The firm runs 24/7, has turnover of £37m and employs 208 staff. It produces a wide cross-section of web offset products including B2B magazines, catalogues, and direct mail. Evans said 67% of its current capacity was contractual fill. PCP is part of the Claverley Group, which owns a raft of regional newspapers and online media brands....