Aug. 10, 2009 — Times of Shreveport getting its Berliner press

Eighteen months after outlining plans for an upgraded Berliner press, The Times in Shreveport, La., received the green light to install the machine.
The Times in late 2007 said it would install a reconditioned 1991 Berliner press obtained by reseller Graphic Web Systems to anchor the upgrade (see News & Tech, January 2008).
The WIFAG OF 790 press will be used to replace The Times’ almost 50-year-old letterpress.
Gannett Co. Inc. delayed the $15 million project as it dealt with building issues, the recession and industry downturn.
But a memo from Times President and Publisher Pete Zanmiller, issued last week, said the press upgrade had been approved and that work would begin immediately.
“Now that we have finally been given approval the difficult work begins as we move to the next generation of our printed product,” he said. “I am excited about the opportunity and look forward to the entire operation working on this opportunity.”
The shafted WIFAG press is configured as four towers and two folders, with an 18.5-inch cutoff and 44-inch web width. The press was formerly used by a Swiss printer, which decommissioned it last year.
The Times will be the third U.S. newspaper to adopt the Berliner format, following the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind., and the Reading (Pa.) Eagle.
Look for more on The Times’ Berliner install in the September issue.