Progress Press receives new top-of-the-range printing machine

A €28 million investment in new premises and equipment by Progress Press reached a milestone today when the press started to take delivery of a huge new GWS web printing machine, the most technically advanced printing machine of its kind in Malta. The machine will be delivered in several containers over a period of weeks.

The new machine is being installed in the new Progress Press premises at Mriehel, which have been built and adapted for the purpose.

Noel Galea, chief operations manager, said this was state-of-the-art machinery for long, high quality print runs on coated or uncoated paper from below 45 to above 130 gsm.

Progress is one of the leading printing presses in Malta, with the widest variety of printing options in the country. Its strength lies in the fast turn-around of its products due to high automation, Mr Galea said.

Progress was set up by Gerald Strickland in 1922, originally in Republic Street, Valletta. It moved to St Paul Street in 1931 but the current premises have become too small for the growth the company is experiencing.

Progress Press is engaged in the printing of a range of products including magazines, manuals and books (hardback and paperback) as well as newspapers, with exports to EU countries, the United States and Africa.

The new premises, with more than 12,000 square metres of factory space, will enable Progress Press to enhance productivity through improved production times while reducing transport and storage costs.

Progress Press forms part of the Allied Group, which also owns The Times, The Sunday Times and timesofmalta.com.