Fujifilm has landed a $30 million tender to supply plates to all Fairfax Media’s sites in Australia and New Zealand.
The new three-year contract, announced by Fujifilm Australia and Fujifilm NZ today, covers the “entire printing plate business” for Fairfax across all of its newspaper and magazine printing sites in the two countries.
It is valued at an estimated A$30 million, and includes “some new computer-to-plate equipment”. Currently Fairfax uses a variety of CTP equipment which also includes Agfa and Kodak platesetters.
The company publishes more than 200 titles including the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, the Australian Financial Review and host of metropolitan and regional titles and magazines in Australia. In New Zealand, its portfolio includes more than 70 national, daily and regional titles plus 26 magazines, as well as digital assets.
Fujifilm says the project which led to the awarding of the tender contract was driven by its national newspaper specialist Warren Hinder, a seasoned veteran of 30 years involvement with Fujifilm graphic systems products – including their introduction into Australia in the mid 1980s.
“Above all, this new contract with Fairfax Media demonstrates the continuing need for quality, targetted newspapers and magazines,” he says. “While the national and metropolitan daily newspaper sector is softening due to the impact of mobile digital and online editions, regional and weekly suburban titles are prospering as they address their local communities in a way that no other media can.
“Only by understanding the dynamics of the newspaper market and forming long-term relationships can contracts like this be gained”
He says the Fujifilm team are delighted to have been awarded the contract which begins soon: “We look forward to proving that the choice of Fujifilm is the right decision,” he says.
Fairfax Media is in the middle of a complex reorganisation of the printing plant it uses, especially that required for its metropolitan daily newspapers. Recent and planned upgrades include the extension of heatset capacity and introduction of UV, which Hinder says places new demands on plates, particularly with the use of UV cured inks.
Fujifilm will supply violet light-sensitive and thermal heat-sensitive plates from its Brillia range, dependent on site location.