The Financial Times has appointed Sydney based Printing Industries member MPD (formerly Marrickville Print and Design), to print the Financial Times newspaper in Australia.  

The Financial Times will be printed in Australia for the first time on Saturday September 18, making it the first international daily newspaper to print collect in Australia. It will be available in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra on the morning of publication.  

Managing Director of MPD, Linda Tenenbaum, said; "We are delighted to have been chosen to print the Financial Times. The FT is, unquestionably, the highest profile financial newspaper in the world, with a history going back to the 1880's. Its production will involve MPD in an integrated global process, characterised by professionalism, experience and technical expertise.

"This is an exciting challenge for us. Each edition will come off the press using the latest communication and proofing technologies, carrying the same content and with the same quality as the FT editions being printed on the same day, in 22 other cities around the world."  

The publication of the Asia edition of the Financial Times in Australia will bring the FT's total number of print sites to 23, including London, Paris, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Dubai and Johannesburg.  

The FT launched its Asia edition - in print and online - in September last year, creating an editorial hub in Hong Kong to complete the FT's global newsroom. Complementing the FT's existing newsdesks in London and New York, the expanded Asia editorial team enables earlier and more flexible deadlines, ensuring that the newspaper can now be printed in Sydney in a timely fashion.

John Ridding, Editor and Publisher of the Financial Times in Asia, said the countdown was on.  "This is an exciting time for the FT and in MPD we have a print partner of the highest quality, with the dedication and flexibility to hit challenging deadlines and make sure the world's business newspaper is available early in the day in the increasingly important Australian marketplace.

"In fact, our Australian readers will be the first of our global audience to get the FT every morning."  

Printing Industries NSW Regional Manager. James Hopwood, congratulated MPD on securing the contract. "This is a fantastic achievement and one for which MPD and its team should be justifiably proud," he said.

"It is an excellent example of what can be achieved by using technology and good management  to advantage in a very competitive market. It has been the culmination of a lot of effort by many at MPD, but augurs well for their continued success."

Ahead of printing in Sydney in September, the FT has launched open access to its website for Australian users for a limited period only. This will allow an early taste of its globally acclaimed news and analysis. Users can register for the special offer at www.ft-asia.com/australia