The planned investment would allow A&N Media to upgrade and refurbish their existing flexo printing presses and reconfigure them more efficiently. The plan envisages that presses would be transferred from Surrey Quays to Thurrock over a period of 3½ years, at the end of which the Surrey Quays site would close. The investment in the new plant would be in the region of £45m to £50m over four years, an incremental spend of only £30m to £35m over that which would otherwise be expected to be invested at Surrey Quays.
Consultations with employees regarding the proposal will commence immediately.
A spokesman said: "We are constantly searching for ways to produce our copies more efficiently. The plan to move to Thurrock is part of this process and it is expected to deliver significant savings once implemented."
A&N Media will retain four print sites in Britain ensuring security of supply to readers, retailers and wholesalers.
The new plant will have the capacity to print full colour 128-page Daily Mails and 160-page Mail on Sundays.
The Surrey Quays plant opened in 1989. In recent years, the 11 acre site has become increasingly surrounded by mainly residential property development. A&N Media will be retaining the Surrey Quays site and marketing it to and talking with interested parties about its future usage.
