February 18, 2002 - The Polestar Group has reached a seven figure agreement with Prism Europe Limited, Colchester, to install and upgrade Prism QTMS product across its gravure and heatset web-offset operations throughout Europe. The objective is to establish Prism QTMS System 3 as the standard press management system throughout the Group. Six sites currently using older versions of the product will be upgraded. In addition, four other Polestar sites will be equipped with the product. Commenting on the investment, Polestar's CEO Barry Hibbert said, "We have considerable experience of using Prism QTMS and it was a logical step within our Manufacturing Improvement Programme to roll the product out to all of our sites. "Built in press management systems only go so far – QTMS gives us much more, including accurate data on reels, and, of course, will provide us with a standard set of information, whichever press we install it on. "We consider investment in Prism QTMS systems offers a fast pay-back. Because of the feedback that the system provides on operational performance of the press and the paper, it enhances productivity and helps to ensure that waste is kept to a minimum." Prism QTMS combines resilient, reliable software with sensor technology to produce the most fully automated machine management systems available today. The product provides on-the-run feed back on machine and paper performance, and is ideally suited to web presses and finishing processes. Chris Johnson, Group Managing Director of the Prism Group of Companies which includes Prism-Usa, said, "Of course we are delighted to expand our relationship with such a leading print group as the Polestar Group. This contract further enhances the position of Prism QTMS as the press management system of choice for Europe’s leading commercial web-press printers."