Agfa Graphics announced today that it has signed a major contract with Spain's leading newspaper El País. The deal includes three violet-laser, high-speed :Polaris platesetters for :N91v digital plates, each with :Arkitex NewsDrive and Pre-Ink automation software, plate processing and punch and bending equipment. Including the two-year service contract, the value of the deal is 1.2 million €. El País cites high-level quality and reliability as one of the reasons it chose to partner with Agfa Graphics. Agfa Graphics' newspaper solutions have earned an excellent reputation for professional service and responsiveness, as well as best-in-class expertise in the integration of equipment, software and consumables. "As we make the switch from analogue to digital newspaper prepress production, we choose to partner with the newspaper industry's technology leader," said Marga Espino; production director for El País. "As we reviewed our technology and vendor options, Agfa Graphics offered the best answers to our needs for integrated production solutions." "In Europe and across the world, most leading newspaper titles have chosen Agfa technology to convert to digital prepress production. El País is certainly a name that takes a place of honour on the list. We look forward to a co-operation that will speed production and shorten editorial and advertising deadlines," said Hans Gerinckx, director of global newspaper sales for Agfa Graphics.