Singapore - Mortsel, Belgium- Agfa Graphics announced today that it has signed an agreement with Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) to upgrade the complete pre-press production at SPH's Print Centre in Singapore.

In the coming months, Agfa Graphics will install 10 high-speed :Polaris XCV-S with automated Glünz & Jensen punch & benders and online central stacking system, making SPH Print Centre one of the largest single newspaper Computer to Plate sites in the world. The agreement also includes a two years' supply of :N92v violet photopolymer plates.

SPH Print Centre houses 4 lines of KBA commander presses and 4 lines of Colorliner presses in two separate press halls.  The new Computer to Plate system (CtP) will replace the Computer to Film (CtF) plate making system in the two halls.

"In selecting the provider of our CtP system, we have in place a rigorous and elaborate evaluation process to assess the merits of competing offers from established vendors.  Agfa meets our exacting requirements and has offered us the best solution and value for this major project.  We are also convinced of Agfa's commitment to long term technical support." said Anthony Cheng, Executive Vice-President of Production at SPH.

"With 17 newspaper titles in 4 languages, SPH Print Centre has one of the most complex operations in our industry. In addition, SPH's requirements in terms of high print quality, efficiency and support are well-known," said Tim Van den Bossche, President Asia at Agfa Graphics. "Being selected by SPH as partner in this growth region is an honour and a proof that our strategy, based on technology and cost leadership, works".