HINWIL, Switzerland — Ferag last week took the wraps off an economically priced quarterfold system aimed at newspapers that want to diversify their postpress operations.
The StreamFold, available in January, is engineered as either a stand-alone system or integrated into any Ferag system via the vendor’s UTR conveyor technology. The compact, portable unit is rated at 60,000 copies per hour and will be priced at approximately $250,000.
According to Ferag CEO Juerg Moeckli, StreamFold uses the firm’s patented W-fold technology. Dusseldorf, Germany, newspaper Rheinische Post is the first paper to purchase the system.
“This new technology allows both newspapers and commercial printers to achieve new revenue streams,” said Joe Colletti, president and CEO of Ferag Americas Inc. “In today’s difficult economic times, adding a quarterfolder system to a new or existing press can be cost-prohibitive. Now, customers are able to process this work is a timely and efficient manner.”
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sturm: No ‘bailout’ needed for newspapers
John F. Sturm, president and CEO of the Newspaper Association of America, told lawmakers at a hearing last week that while the industry does not seek a financial bailout, there are steps Congress could take to help publishers.
“Newspapers need cash now,’’ he told the Joint Economic Committee in Washington.
Where newspapers might obtain relief, Sturm said, are in areas that Congress is already considering, including the Newspaper Revitalization Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)
The proposed legislation would allow newspapers to organize as non-profits while continuing to generate ad revenues. Sturm said the NAA believes the proposal has merit and “could work in certain situations,” assuming local citizens and civic leaders commit the resources necessary to fund a newspaper’s core journalistic function.
Sturm also said publishers would benefit from legislation that would expand the net operating loss provisions of all businesses and from steps Congress could take to allow businesses to spread out future contributions to defined benefit plans.
“Newspapers need cash now,’’ he told the Joint Economic Committee in Washington.
Where newspapers might obtain relief, Sturm said, are in areas that Congress is already considering, including the Newspaper Revitalization Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)
The proposed legislation would allow newspapers to organize as non-profits while continuing to generate ad revenues. Sturm said the NAA believes the proposal has merit and “could work in certain situations,” assuming local citizens and civic leaders commit the resources necessary to fund a newspaper’s core journalistic function.
Sturm also said publishers would benefit from legislation that would expand the net operating loss provisions of all businesses and from steps Congress could take to allow businesses to spread out future contributions to defined benefit plans.
Manroland, Heidelberg merger getting closer?
Reports continue to circulate in the German media that Heidelberg and manroland will combine their operations, perhaps in the next two weeks.
Platow Brief, a German financial newsletter, earlier this summer reported that the two vendors would merge (see Dateline, July 27, 2009). Now, another German publication, Manager Magazin, said that Heidelberg and manroland hired Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank, respectively, to advise on the merger. The development was reported by U.K. trade publication PrintWeek, which said that neither Heidelberg nor manroland would comment on the report.
Platow Brief, a German financial newsletter, earlier this summer reported that the two vendors would merge (see Dateline, July 27, 2009). Now, another German publication, Manager Magazin, said that Heidelberg and manroland hired Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank, respectively, to advise on the merger. The development was reported by U.K. trade publication PrintWeek, which said that neither Heidelberg nor manroland would comment on the report.
Shanghai Electric completes Goss investment
Goss International said Shanghai Electric (Group) Corp. completed its investment in the press and postpress vendor, in the process becoming Goss’ second-largest shareholder.
No financial details were disclosed.
SEG in June said it would increase its stake in Goss under terms of an agreement with MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners, Goss’ majority shareholder.
“Shanghai Electric has substantial resources and is focused on world-class industrial equipment manufacturing,” said Goss CEO Jochen Meissner. “Their investment should send a strong signal to printers and publishers regarding our strength, stability and long-term capacity to deliver value.
“We look forward to new opportunities to innovate and execute together through our unique worldwide platform that will include significant manufacturing operations in America, Asia and Europe.”
Goss and Shanghai Electric are longstanding partners, having created the joint-venture company Shanghai Goss Graphic Systems in 1993. The company, operated in China by SEC subsidiary Shanghai Electric Printing and Packaging Machinery Group, produces several web press models for the global market.
No financial details were disclosed.
SEG in June said it would increase its stake in Goss under terms of an agreement with MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners, Goss’ majority shareholder.
“Shanghai Electric has substantial resources and is focused on world-class industrial equipment manufacturing,” said Goss CEO Jochen Meissner. “Their investment should send a strong signal to printers and publishers regarding our strength, stability and long-term capacity to deliver value.
“We look forward to new opportunities to innovate and execute together through our unique worldwide platform that will include significant manufacturing operations in America, Asia and Europe.”
Goss and Shanghai Electric are longstanding partners, having created the joint-venture company Shanghai Goss Graphic Systems in 1993. The company, operated in China by SEC subsidiary Shanghai Electric Printing and Packaging Machinery Group, produces several web press models for the global market.
MNG ready to charge fees
MediaNews Group CEO William Dean Singleton said the publisher will begin charging readers a fee to access certain online content beginning next year, a Salt Lake City television station reported.
“We can't continue to give everything away for free,” KSL reported Singleton as saying on its Web site. “When you give it away for free, it has no value. When you begin charging for it, it has some value.”
Singleton was in Salt Lake to address the National Conference of Editorial Writers. MediaNews Group The Salt Lake Tribune and also publishes the rival Deseret News under terms of a JOA.
“We can't continue to give everything away for free,” KSL reported Singleton as saying on its Web site. “When you give it away for free, it has no value. When you begin charging for it, it has some value.”
Singleton was in Salt Lake to address the National Conference of Editorial Writers. MediaNews Group The Salt Lake Tribune and also publishes the rival Deseret News under terms of a JOA.
Journal Sentinel to print STMG papers
The Sun-Times Media Group transferred production of its Chicago-area suburban publications to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel following the closure of its Northfield, Ill., printing plant.
The agreement covers the printing and packaging of 39 Pioneer Press and The Doings hyperlocal publications.
Earlier this year, STMG closed its western Chicago suburban plant and moved production of papers printed at that location to its downtown Chicago facility.
The agreement covers the printing and packaging of 39 Pioneer Press and The Doings hyperlocal publications.
Earlier this year, STMG closed its western Chicago suburban plant and moved production of papers printed at that location to its downtown Chicago facility.
American-Statesman switches to SLP plates
The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman converted to Southern Lithoplate’s Viper 830 thermal plates. The newspaper in 2007 switched to digital platemaking with thermal platesetters from Kodak. The daily is now converting a third platemaking line to CTP.
“We made the decision to convert to Southern Litho plates for quality reasons,” said Frank Mento, pressroom manager for the daily. “We have seen a drastic improvement in the reproduction quality with Viper 830 plates, particularly in areas containing large solids.”
“We made the decision to convert to Southern Litho plates for quality reasons,” said Frank Mento, pressroom manager for the daily. “We have seen a drastic improvement in the reproduction quality with Viper 830 plates, particularly in areas containing large solids.”
New Yorkers taste London media via Newsworld
Copies of the Evening Standard were on the streets of New York City last week as Newsworld Corp. produced the newspaper in conjunction with its partner, AlphaGraphics, as part of Visit London’s “Only in London” campaign.
Among the recipients of the special promotional edition was London Mayor Boris Johnson.
“Whilst Mr. Johnson has been putting London on the map, so to speak, we have been able to give New York residents a sample of London media,” said Newsworld’s David Renouf.
The first 3,000 copies, printed on AlphaGraphics’ Screen Truepress Jet 520 digital press, arrived in Times Square at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and included London news and locally targeted editorial and advertising content.
Among the recipients of the special promotional edition was London Mayor Boris Johnson.
“Whilst Mr. Johnson has been putting London on the map, so to speak, we have been able to give New York residents a sample of London media,” said Newsworld’s David Renouf.
The first 3,000 copies, printed on AlphaGraphics’ Screen Truepress Jet 520 digital press, arrived in Times Square at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and included London news and locally targeted editorial and advertising content.
Baldwin, technotrans end patent dispute
Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. said its German unit settled its nine-year patent dispute with technotrans.
Under terms of the agreement, technotrans will pay $9.6 million in compensation to Baldwin. In return, Baldwin will end legal proceedings that began in 2000 when it sued techotrans in Germany, alleging that technotrans’ design of a cooling system infringed on a Baldwin patent.
In a press release issued by Baldwin, the firm said that the boards of each company “reached the conclusion that this solution is in the best interests of both companies.”
Under terms of the agreement, technotrans will pay $9.6 million in compensation to Baldwin. In return, Baldwin will end legal proceedings that began in 2000 when it sued techotrans in Germany, alleging that technotrans’ design of a cooling system infringed on a Baldwin patent.
In a press release issued by Baldwin, the firm said that the boards of each company “reached the conclusion that this solution is in the best interests of both companies.”
Pubs reap savings with ProImage ink optimization
ProImage said more newspapers invested in its OnColor Eco ink optimization software, including The Albuquerque (N.M) Publishing Co., which publishes the Albuquerque Journal, and Paso Del Norte Publishing Inc. in El Paso, Texas, which publishes El Diario.
“We print approximately 650,000 cutoffs a day,” said Edward Armendariz, commercial printer division manager at Paso Del Norte Publishing. “In our newsprint production we are saving 27 percent, while in our UV production we are saving 42 percent. To date, we are saving approximately $11,000 per month with OnColor Eco.”
APC, meantime, integrated the app with its existing NewsWay software.
“You can see how much less ink (dot) is on the CMY plates that are processed through OnColor Eco, but there has been no degradation in print quality,” said Eddie Chaves, digital prepress manager. “To date, our cost savings are between 12 and 14 percent.”
“We print approximately 650,000 cutoffs a day,” said Edward Armendariz, commercial printer division manager at Paso Del Norte Publishing. “In our newsprint production we are saving 27 percent, while in our UV production we are saving 42 percent. To date, we are saving approximately $11,000 per month with OnColor Eco.”
APC, meantime, integrated the app with its existing NewsWay software.
“You can see how much less ink (dot) is on the CMY plates that are processed through OnColor Eco, but there has been no degradation in print quality,” said Eddie Chaves, digital prepress manager. “To date, our cost savings are between 12 and 14 percent.”
Star Tribune emerges from bankruptcy
The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune said it will leave bankruptcy protection today, eight months after it filed for shelter from its creditors.
The daily said the newspaper will now be majority-owned by a group of senior secured lenders.
The Star Tribune reported it will have about $100 million debut, down from the $480 million it claimed when it filed bankruptcy in January.
As part of the reorganization, the Star Tribune Co. will become Star Tribune Media Co. LLC.
Michael T. P. Sweeney, STMC’s chairman, in a letter to readers, said that the Star Tribune intends to continue its 142-year legacy.
“Many of you have talked to us about the high value you place on the role we play in the democratic and social processes of our community,” he said. “You have expressed sincere concern and told us you cannot imagine this community without a strong daily newspaper. Neither can we.”
The daily said the newspaper will now be majority-owned by a group of senior secured lenders.
The Star Tribune reported it will have about $100 million debut, down from the $480 million it claimed when it filed bankruptcy in January.
As part of the reorganization, the Star Tribune Co. will become Star Tribune Media Co. LLC.
Michael T. P. Sweeney, STMC’s chairman, in a letter to readers, said that the Star Tribune intends to continue its 142-year legacy.
“Many of you have talked to us about the high value you place on the role we play in the democratic and social processes of our community,” he said. “You have expressed sincere concern and told us you cannot imagine this community without a strong daily newspaper. Neither can we.”
Miami Herald, Record Searchlight narrow postpress
The Miami Herald and the Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif., retrofit their postpress systems with modification systems from Muller Martini Mailroom Systems Inc.
MMMS altered two of The Herald’s SLS1000A machines to accommodate the paper’s 44-inch web. In California, technicians converted the Record Searchlight’s SLS1000A system to support a similar web reduction, MMMS said.
The modification kits include a moveable pocket wall and a sucker relocation kit. The kits enable the postpress systems to process pages as narrow as 10.5 inches, MMMS said.
MMMS altered two of The Herald’s SLS1000A machines to accommodate the paper’s 44-inch web. In California, technicians converted the Record Searchlight’s SLS1000A system to support a similar web reduction, MMMS said.
The modification kits include a moveable pocket wall and a sucker relocation kit. The kits enable the postpress systems to process pages as narrow as 10.5 inches, MMMS said.
iRex to make U.S. debut
E-reader vendor iRex Technologies will make its e-reader available in the United States late next month at a price of $399.
The Netherlands-based firm introduced the DR 1000 e-reader, sporting a 10-inch display, in European markets in late 2008. It quickly signed an agreement with NewspaperDirect to make ND’s stable of more than 1,100 newspapers available through the device.
The U.S. model, slugged the DR800SG, will have an 8.1-inch touch screen. iRex struck a deal with Verizon to use the telco’s 3G network as the wireless service through which users can download newspapers, books and other periodicals. IRex also said the device would be available for sale at Best Buy retail outlets, beginning next month.
The Netherlands-based firm introduced the DR 1000 e-reader, sporting a 10-inch display, in European markets in late 2008. It quickly signed an agreement with NewspaperDirect to make ND’s stable of more than 1,100 newspapers available through the device.
The U.S. model, slugged the DR800SG, will have an 8.1-inch touch screen. iRex struck a deal with Verizon to use the telco’s 3G network as the wireless service through which users can download newspapers, books and other periodicals. IRex also said the device would be available for sale at Best Buy retail outlets, beginning next month.
KBA sells Commander to German pub
Parzeller Druck und Mediendiensteistungen in Fulda, Germany, said it will go on-edition with a Commander satellite press from Koenig & Bauer AG next summer. The doublewide, 32-page press will give the publisher full-color production.
In addition to the daily Fuldaer Zeitung, the press will produce commercial and in-house publications, including the free-distribution weekly Marktkorb.
In addition to the daily Fuldaer Zeitung, the press will produce commercial and in-house publications, including the free-distribution weekly Marktkorb.
In Brief
The Los Angeles Times named Sean Gallagher managing editor, online.
Koenig & Bauer AG said Frank Junker, executive vice president of production, retired.
Technotrans said it will open a sales and support office in Chennai, India, next month, to serve the fast-growing Indian subcontinent. The company named Matthew Sunil managing director, India, to head up the office.
www.technotrans.com
Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. selected PuzzleFlow Solutions’ WebPairer app for 16 of its properties in conjunction with a conversion to computer-to-plate. The sale was overseen by Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA. Look for more information about CNHI's CTP deployment in the October issue of News & Tech.
www.puzzleflow.us
Flint Group said four of its offset inks earned bio-renewable content certification from the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers. The certified inks are Flint’s K+E, Arrowstar and Starbase sheetfed series of inks as well as its Arroweb heatset formulation.
www.flintgrp.com
WoodWing said it has installed its software at two South American newspapers, Diario de Chiapas in Chiapas, Mexico, and La Manana in Neuquen, Argentina.
www.woodwing.com
Web Press Corp. sold a Quad-Stack press to Register Tapes Unlimited Inc. This is the first press order Web Press has filled since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization earlier this summer.
Houston-based RTUI will put the press unit into production this month, according to Craig Stevens, plant manager.
Stevens said RTUI will equip the press with a UV curing system.
www.webpresscorp.com
Southern Lithoplate said its new Web site was recognized in the Graphic Design USA Web design competition, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard.
www.slp.com
Screen (USA) reported positive results from Print 09, saying it notched $35 million in sales across its portfolio of digital printing and prepress systems, according to Robert Prah, vice president of sales.
www.screenusa.com
The Associated Press launched a 2009 AP Stylebook app for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users.
www.ap.org
The San Francisco Chronicle said its Web site attracted 112 million page views in August, with unique visitors growing 21 percent to 11.2 million, according to stats compiled by Omniture Site Catalyst.
The Guardian in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, tapped Advantage Newspaper Consultants to help boost ad sales of its TV guide. The Guardian joins the Prince Albert (Saskatchewan) Daily Herald as the first Canadian newspapers to use ANC’s services.
www.newspaperconsultants.com
The Livingston County (Mich.) Daily Press & Argus said the paper began using automatic register control systems installed by CC1 Inc. The paper said Gannett Co. Inc. spent about $140,000 for the eXaminer II system and associated software, part of a $450,000 project to improve production operations at the site.
www.cc1inc.com
Koenig & Bauer AG said Frank Junker, executive vice president of production, retired.
Technotrans said it will open a sales and support office in Chennai, India, next month, to serve the fast-growing Indian subcontinent. The company named Matthew Sunil managing director, India, to head up the office.
www.technotrans.com
Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. selected PuzzleFlow Solutions’ WebPairer app for 16 of its properties in conjunction with a conversion to computer-to-plate. The sale was overseen by Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA. Look for more information about CNHI's CTP deployment in the October issue of News & Tech.
www.puzzleflow.us
Flint Group said four of its offset inks earned bio-renewable content certification from the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers. The certified inks are Flint’s K+E, Arrowstar and Starbase sheetfed series of inks as well as its Arroweb heatset formulation.
www.flintgrp.com
WoodWing said it has installed its software at two South American newspapers, Diario de Chiapas in Chiapas, Mexico, and La Manana in Neuquen, Argentina.
www.woodwing.com
Web Press Corp. sold a Quad-Stack press to Register Tapes Unlimited Inc. This is the first press order Web Press has filled since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization earlier this summer.
Houston-based RTUI will put the press unit into production this month, according to Craig Stevens, plant manager.
Stevens said RTUI will equip the press with a UV curing system.
www.webpresscorp.com
Southern Lithoplate said its new Web site was recognized in the Graphic Design USA Web design competition, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard.
www.slp.com
Screen (USA) reported positive results from Print 09, saying it notched $35 million in sales across its portfolio of digital printing and prepress systems, according to Robert Prah, vice president of sales.
www.screenusa.com
The Associated Press launched a 2009 AP Stylebook app for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users.
www.ap.org
The San Francisco Chronicle said its Web site attracted 112 million page views in August, with unique visitors growing 21 percent to 11.2 million, according to stats compiled by Omniture Site Catalyst.
The Guardian in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, tapped Advantage Newspaper Consultants to help boost ad sales of its TV guide. The Guardian joins the Prince Albert (Saskatchewan) Daily Herald as the first Canadian newspapers to use ANC’s services.
www.newspaperconsultants.com
The Livingston County (Mich.) Daily Press & Argus said the paper began using automatic register control systems installed by CC1 Inc. The paper said Gannett Co. Inc. spent about $140,000 for the eXaminer II system and associated software, part of a $450,000 project to improve production operations at the site.
www.cc1inc.com
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