WASHINGTON — There’s no question that 2008 is shaping up to be among the most challenging years the U.S. newspaper industry has ever had to face. So it came as little surprise that Nexpo 2008 suffered as well. The show, which has posted declining attendance figures for years, attracted 1,500 registrants, according to the Newspaper Association of America, but the number of genuine potential customers was well below that total.

As a result, the exhibit floor of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center was eerily quiet for most of the meeting’s four-day run (see sidebar, page 28).

But that didn’t mean that vendors stood still. Scores of suppliers offered new products and technologies, and although this year’s show was absent the major press sales of past years’ events, some significant transactions did occur.


Photo: Mary L. Van Meter
Left to right, Michael E. Reed, chief executive officer, GateHouse Media Inc.;
Gary Pruitt, chief executive officer, The McClatchy Co.; George B. Irish,
president of Hearst Newspapers and William Dean Singleton,
vice chairman and chief executive officer, Media News Group Inc.,
after addressing Nexpo exhibitors.
 

Among the most notable, Kodak unveiled a new, high-speed thermal platesetter, the Generation News, and then said it sold three of the machines to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which is upgrading its production capabilities with the addition of color towers and associated equipment (see Newspapers & Technology, April 2007).

Installation is slated for August, Richard Hawes, director of operations, told Newspapers & Technology (see related photo, page 50).

The deal came on the heels of Kodak’s announcement that it would beta test the 300-plate-per-hour machine at the Los Angeles Times’ Olympic plant. Kodak also said it sold a Trendsetter News and PF-N non-process plates to the Mount Vernon (Ohio) News.

Editor’s note: You can hear Newspapers & Technology’s exclusive interview with Jack Knadjian, vice president, marketing for Kodak’s worldwide newspaper segment on the release of the Generation News on News&Tech Radio via www.newsandtech.com.


 

The Journal-Constitution tapped Nela to supply plate-handling equipment for the Generation News. The install will include the placement of an Evolution high-speed vision punch bender, verification and distribution system for the plateroom and tool-less lockups for the paper’s four TKS (USA) Jupiter presses.

In other Nexpo announcements:

Postpress sale: The Naples (Fla.) Daily News tapped Muller Martini Mailroom Systems Inc. for two SLS-3000 inserters to be installed in its production plant now under construction. The contract also calls for MMMS to supply its SAMS Plans software for mailroom management. The inserters, one 32: 2; the other 22:2, will be in operation in the third quarter of 2009. MMMS is also installing two conveyor systems, two press-to-hopper systems and 18 hopper loaders. Earlier, the Daily News selected Schur Packaging Systems Inc. to supply four Winrob III Palletizers and two PSW stretch wrappers.



Photo: Newspapers & Technology
Left to right, Tom Sewall, director of operations and Glenn Williams, packaging and distribution manager, Naples (Fla.) Daily News; Hal Thomas, director of sales, Eastern region, Muller Martini Mailroom Systems Inc.; Frank Wolfe, director of newspaper operations; E.W. Scripps Co.; and MMMS’ Hans Peter Sutter, president of mailroom systems and executive board member; Hamed Seyedi, Western regional sales manager; and Amrish Thaker, president and chief executive officer, North American newspaper division, after Daily News agreed to buy MMMS equipment for its new production facility.

MMMS also rolled out to the U.S. market its ProLiner inserting system. The modular system, capable of processing up to 45,000 copies per hour, had its international debut last June at the Newstech show in the United Kingdom.

The expandable ProLiner will complement MMMS’ existing AlphaLiner, NewsLiner and SLS inserting systems (see Newspapers & Technology, April 2007).

Listen to our interview with MMMS’ Volker Leonhardt and Matthew McKittrick on News&Tech Radio.

First 20-inch cutoff presses planned: The (New York) Daily News’ new Commander CT presses from Koenig & Bauer AG will be engineered with a 20-inch cutoff, KBA said. The 6-by-2 presses will have a web width of 75 inches, which means the tab will have a format of 12.5 inches by 10 inches. The Naples (Fla.) Daily News, meantime, is also configuring its forthcoming WIFAG press with a cutoff of 20 inches. The web width will be 44 inches, according to Tom Sewall, the paper’s director of operations. ABB will supply the controls overseeing the evolution 371 press.

Morning News upgrading controls: The Dallas Morning News selected ABB to replace the unit and folder controls on one of its six TKS (USA) presses as well as upgrade control software managing its WIFAG OF 370 press. ABB will install its MPS production software on two consoles on the TKS press and five consoles serving the WIFAG press in a project to be completed later this year. The project is being done in conjunction with a web-width reduction plan that will see The Morning News compress its web width from 50 inches to 48 inches. Bill May, vice president of production, said the cutdown will be managed internally. The paper hopes to replace controls on its five remaining TKS presses as conditions warrant, he said.

Listen to our interview with ABB’s Jeff Gelfand on News&Tech Radio.

Heatset, ASRS for Transcon Calif. plant: Transcontinental Inc. will equip its three MAN Roland ColorMAN XXL presses to be installed at its Fremont, Calif., newspaper production plant with heatset drying. Megtec is supplying three Dual-Dry TNV dryers, one for each press. Meantime, Transcontinental picked HK Systems to supply it with an ASRS to manage newsprint and preprint storage and transport at the facility. HK will build a system that can store more than 5,000 pallets and will also supply five AGVs at the plant, which is scheduled to be in operation next year.

Listen to our interview with Transcontinental’s Rick Ruffino on News&Tech Radio.

New edit software: MAN Roland’s ppi Media unit said its Felix editorial software will be introduced in Germany this year and into the United States in the first quarter of 2009. Felix will fill in a missing link in ppi’s portfolio and enable the vendor to migrate into a full service provider, said Markus Feldenkirchen, chief executive officer of ppi Media’s U.S. operation. He also reiterated that ppi is representing Norwegian software developer Escenic in the United States (see Newspapers & Technology, November 2007).

Pa. paper replacing controls: Rockwell Automation is upgrading press controls at The Times-Tribune in Scranton, Pa. The vendor is installing its PrintLogix QE control software on two consoles managing the paper’s Goss International Corp. Headliner Offset press. The new system will replace the press’ DEC-based controls. The project will finish up this summer, Rockwell said.

Inserter unveiled; Ky. paper upgrades postpress: Seidel Enterprises introduced a new inserter, the se3500, capable of processing up to 35,000 packages per hour. The inserter can be expanded up to 40 feeders, in two feeder modules, SE said. It also sports a new PC control system and features miss and double deletion with product repair capabilities. The system’s speed is made possible by a new feeder that allows it to grab two inserts at a time, reducing cycle time by 50 percent. Meantime, Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. tapped SE for floor equipment and a feeder exchange for its newspaper in London, Ky.  Finally, SE said it has placed a palletizer from Danish postpress vendor DAN Palletiser A/S at a U.S. paper for evaluation. Seidel represents DAN in the United States.

New high-speed press introduced: Manugraph DGM Inc. rolled out the Frontline press, a one-around singlewide press that has a printing speed of up to 60,000 copies per hour. The H-unit-designed shaftless press is fully beared and includes spraybars and catwalks on the second and third levels as standard equipment. It also has web severers on the incoming and outgoing side of the towers and features touchscreen controls and auto-plate positioning. MDGM also showcased the 1270 combination jaw folder, which has a capacity of 70,000 copies per hour.

New return system introduced: Schur Packaging Systems Inc. introduced a new product aimed at helping newspapers better manage returned copies. The Returned Product System has a throughput of up to 20,000 copies per hour and uses a barcode reader and digital camera to record the materials being processed. It’s engineered to allow publishers to automatically process the mix of unsold products they receive from retailers, said Peter Engelbreth, Schur’s executive project manager, mailroom and distribution. “It can be used to track products regardless of size, formats, weights or quantities,” he said.

Nela adds to Star Tribune foundation: Nela said the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune purchased two additional VCP vision benders and a 26-station automated sortation system to provide flexible plate sorting for the publisher’s five presses. The plate handling equipment will be integrated with three lines of Agfa Advantage CTP devices and an existing Nela vision punch bender. This installation will allow the Star Tribune to process more than 600 plates per hour.

Agfa shows new violet plate: Agfa took the wraps off its newest violet plate, the N92-V. The company said the plate boasts improved run lengths and superior on-press performance. Agfa also showcased its N92-VCF chemistry-free digital plate and the newest features of its Arkitex workflow app, including OptiInk, a plug-in designed to reduce ink consumption by as much as 30 percent.

Listen to our interview with Agfa’s Sheila Nysko on News&Tech Radio.

Press sold to Ariz. printer: Goss International Corp. said it sold a Magnum 4 press to contract printer Valley Newspapers in Phoenix. The press, configured as four four-high towers, two two-high towers and two folders, will be installed later this year. Meantime, Ecuadorian newspaper publisher Grupo Granasa added a Universal four-high tower and made other modifications to its existing Universal press to increase paging and color capacity. And Artes Graficas del Litoral in Argentina ordered a Uniliner press, configured as 12 units, a jaw folder and three pasters. The publisher also is equipping the press with changeable web width, allowing it to print the 60-inch-wide national daily, Clarin, the 50-inch El Litoral and commercial jobs. A heatset dryer will be added later, Goss said. The Uniliner will go into production next year.

Outsourcing firm gets 1st U.S. client: CCI Sourcing Inc. signed its first U.S. newspaper for its advertising production outsourcing service, the Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail. CCI Sourcing is integrating its workflow with the newspaper’s DPS AdTracker app to allow the Independent-Mail to monitor the progress of its ads. CCI Sourcing, launched last year, maintains production facilities in Chennai and Bangalore, India, and a U.S. sales office in Atlanta.

SLP goes violet: Southern Lithoplate Inc. is adding its Tiger V digital violet plate to its newspaper product portfolio.

The plate, available now, according to Steve Mattingly, SLP’s vice president of marketing, joins SLP’s flagship Viper thermal plate as products the vendor now offers to newspapers.

“We believe that the market is going to be 70 percent thermal and 30 percent violet,” he said. “We have customers that will choose violet technology for a purpose or intent — we respect that and we will service that customer base that wants that technology.”

SLP tapped ECRM Imaging Systems as its primary partner promoting the violet plate, although Mattingly said the plate will work with other vendors’ violet platesetters as well.

The Tiger V is engineered with a run length of up to 150,000 impressions and can support a 175-line-per-inch or 2,450-dot-per-inch resolution.

The introduction of the Tiger V plate — which had already been available to the commercial market — won’t change SLP’s current CTP Alliance, which is built around the Viper plate and features platesetters from Screen USA.

Calif. daily upgrades workflow: The Visalia (Calif.) Times-Delta selected ProImage NewsWay software to drive the publisher’s existing Screen USA-based computer-to-plate workflow.

The newspaper chose NewsWay based on the app’s ability to integrate digital files coming in from a variety of sources, ProImage said.

Meantime, ProImage rolled out NewsWay 5.1 as well as OnColor Eco ink optimization software, aimed at helping newspapers reduce ink consumption. The app automatically analyzes PDF files and determines the exact amount of ink needed to produce the best possible output, according to Izzet Edige, ProImage’s managing director.

Listen to our interview with Gannett’s Dee Dee Gober and ProImage’s Rick Shafranek on News&Tech Radio.

N.C. paper picks edit app: The Wilson (N.C.) Daily Times signed a contract to purchase MediaSpan Media Software’s iQue editorial app (see photo, page 29). Meantime, MediaSpan debuted YouNews, a moderated user-generated video tool that helps newspapers manage and edit user-generated video.


Photo: Newspapers & Technology
Left to right, Dan Roberts, executive vice president and Ken Freedman, vice president of sales, MediaSpan Media Software; with Larry Sullivan, assistant production manager, Andrew Small, new media director and Tim Haywood, systems manager, Wilson (N.C.) Daily Times; and John Pourtless, director of sales, Southeast, MediaSpan. The paper is installing the vendor’s iQue software.

 

MediaSpan Chief Executive Officer Frank Campagnoni said YouNews is set up as a component of a newspaper’s Web site and users can upload audio, video, photos and text, which can be made available to anyone in the YouNews network. The app offers benefits for user-generated content of local interest, but also of national interest, he said.

“We saw a customer in San Diego, for example, when they had the big fires, who had some very dramatic photographs,” he said. “Users on the scene can make things available to the local community, as well as nationally through the network of YouNews sites that are interconnected.”

MediaSpan also took the wraps off the latest iterations of its CirculationPro circ app, ProductionManager Pro and JazBox apps. Finally, the company said its software is being deployed by a number of newspapers, including The (Bridgeport) Connecticut Post and those owned by GateHouse Media. It also unveiled a partnership with Verve Wireless to provide integrated content management and mobile marketing options; and with StreamAudio to provide audio streaming services, ad replacement tools and royalty fee management.

Listen to our interview with MediaSpan’s Frank Campagnoni on News&Tech Radio.

CNI tweaks AdDesk: CNI Corp. announced updated features of its AdDesk software designed to help publishers manage outsourced ad production and improve order entry.

New features include a Creative Request form, which CNI said enables sales staff to submit ad layouts to the creative staff, matched to the correct insertion order, from any location with Internet access; new routing and tracking of ad production; and e-proofing enhancements designed to give advertising and production staff ultimate control over the proofing process. CNI said proofs can be routed through an internal quality assurance process before being viewed by advertisers.

Fujifilm unveils chem-free plate: Fujifilm debuted its Ecomaxx-V violet plate, slated to be available in the first quarter 2009. Fuji said the plate — rated  for runs up to 200,000 — is chemistry free and suitable for newspapers of all sizes.

The plate uses less effluent, requires no pH control during processing and offer easier maintenance of the finishing unit, Fuji said.

Fuji also launched XMF C-Fit, intelligent image optimization software designed to automate the process of analyzing and improving RGB images that arrive from various sources, the vendor said. XMF C-Fit includes face recognition and skin smoothing, light source recognition, exposure and white balance adjustment, and sharpness enhancement, to create an RGB digital master.

ECRM unveils platesetter: ECRM Imaging Systems exhibited the Mako Newsmatic HS Plus platesetter. The device can process up to 150 plates per hour at 1,016 dpi, more than double the speed of the previous machine (see photo, page 40). The company also announced an extended 5-year laser warranty for all of its newspaper CTP machines purchased after April 2.

Washington Times picks DTI: Digital Technology International said The Washington Times selected its Audience Database app to underpin the paper’s marketing efforts. The app will support functions ranging from subscription campaigns and ad upsells to implementation of new products and services. The Audience Database integrates third-party systems spanning e-mail marketing, Web site analytics, user behavior tracking, data analytics and lifestyle analytics.

Meantime, DTI rolled out MediaHarbor, an application hosting service that allows customers to access DTI editorial, advertising, circulation and Web content management software without having to install the apps in their own locations.

AlfaQuest unveils 225-pph machine: alfaQuest Technologies showed its 225-plate-per-hour FasTrak violet platesetter as well as upgrades to its PrintExpress software. The upgrade adds a browser-based interface and press manager.

The vendor also debuted its MediaSuite content management and alfa CTP Workflow apps. The workflow app blends alfaQuest’s LaserBus technology with CTP management software from Fusion Systems International.

Saxotech, Pluck team up: Saxotech and Pluck Corp. teamed up to integrate Pluck’s SiteLife social media platform with Saxotech’s Mediaware Center to allow publishers to manage the presentation and distribution of newsroom and  user-generated content.

Gannett will be the first publisher to use the combined app, rolling it out through properties now using Saxotech Online. Users will be able to post comments, set up their own pages, write blogs and post photos.

Sports service launched: CommunitySportsDesk launched a Web-based service for newspapers that allows participants to post game scores, summaries, highlights, photos and other features for community youth and recreation sports leagues (see story, page 1).

Listen to our interview with Kenosha (Wis.) News’ Ken Dowdell and CSD’s William Dunbar and Matt Serpe on News&Tech Radio.

Olive snares contracts: Olive Software said three more California McClatchy Co. newspapers — The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee and The Modesto Bee — chose its ActivePaper Daily app to manage their digital editions, bringing the total number of McClatchy papers using the app to 11.

Olive also previewed the latest version of the app, 4.0, which includes better navigation and translation capabilities among other features. The updated version is expected to be available sometime this summer.

Listen to our interview with Olive’s John Mahoney on News&Tech Radio.

Pruitt named NAA chairman: McClatchy Co. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Pruitt was named chairman of the Newspaper Association of America. Other officers selected were Michael E. Reed, president and CEO of GateHouse Media Inc.; George B. Irish, president of Hearst Newspapers and Mark G. Contreras, senior vice president of newspapers for E.W. Scripps.

In other developments:

•ACCHSH introduced PuzzleFlow Newspaper Automater, which automates the production of ads, from preflight to trapping and page pairing.

•Advanced Publishing Technology launched EZ$Contests software, which allows papers to broaden print-only contests to their online editions.

•Aragon System Products introduced labeling system and bundle management software. The Aspect Labeler Interface, ALI-500, is an entry-level system that links label applicators to a stacker via direct I/O. The Aspect Bundling Module, ABM-500 gives newspapers better control of their bundle management, ASP said.

•BluMunKee released 3.0 of its imaging process software, which lets users better manage their photos and includes support for Apple’s Leopard OS.

•Cannon Equipment retooled its Comet software to support its entire product line, from stackers to cart loaders.

•CCI Europe released the latest version of CCI NewsGate, with Adobe InDesign and Adobe InCopy workflow integration.

•Creative Circle Advertising Solutions rolled out directoryQ, self-service directory software; sportsQ, a high school sports app; and highschoolQ, which enables newspapers to post high school yearbooks and/or newspapers.

•EAE exhibited its Press Control Console with a new widescreen display.

•EidosMedia showcased Methode Portal Server, a Web content management app that allows users to manage the creation and distribution of online news and information.

•Essex Products Group featured KeyColor AutoPage and AutoSet software on a KeyColor C remote ink desk. KeyColor AutoPage software simplifies the newspaper printer’s setup and color correction.

•Express KCS rolled out new outsourcing services aimed at creating spec ads and editorial layout, including copy-editing. The San Jose, Calif., company also said it would begin handling ad production for the Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif., the Bradenton (Fla.) Herald and the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram.

FMC Technologies Inc. released two new AGVs for newspaper postproduction. The first vehicle, for pallet handling, is engineered to automatically store and retrieve pallets of inserts from racking and deliver them as needed. The second, a trailer loader, automatically loads bundled newspapers and other materials to standard, over-the-road trailers.

•Masthead International unveiled a press modification service that lets newspapers print six pages across on a doublewide press. The service, Metro Saver, can be performed on 66-inch-wide Goss International Corp. Metro presses. Metro Saver includes modifications on the press’ RTPs, inkers, folders, rails, spraybars, lockups and blankets.

•Megtec showed its Dual-Dry RTO dryer with integrated oxidizer, which the vendor said lowers gas consumption and emissions up to 50 percent. It also debuted its match-speed splicer, the DLC 6000, developed for 80-page presses with web widths up to 95 inches.

Finally, Megtec unveiled its new MP12, MP14, MP22 and MP24 core-driven flying pasters.

•MerlinOne said it will begin hosting its Picture Desk and Digital Asset Management software, allowing newspapers to tap into the apps without having to administer them on-site. The service will begin later this year.

•Miles 33 debuted Workflow, a media-neutral content creation and management app that lets users schedule, assign and track content slated for both print and electronic distribution.

•MyWeather LLC introduced RouteCast 1.5, software that lets newspapers post real-time weather and traffic information within the same display.

•NewsNotes Advertising trotted out a recyclable adhesive on its note products. The RCA breaks down in large particles that can be trapped in screens and removed for disposal or incineration.

•OneVision rolled out Amendo, a new image management application. The software adjusts color, tone and size of images, and can be used in conjunction with a browser-based front-end that permits remote management.

•Q.I. Press Controls demonstrated its new Air Bustle Device, which allows closed-loop fanout control with minimal air consumption; its Intelligent Density System for closed-loop color control; its Intelligent Register Control app; and its IQM management information app.

Q.I. also demonstrated its IDS  markless color control app, designed to provide consistent quality color reproduction, regardless of press, location and other variables during the printing process.

•Quark Inc. released an upgrade to its QPS publishing software. Version 7.4 includes support for Apple’s Leopard OS, full text search and LDAP. It also includes QPS Web Hub, an online tool that allows users to create, edit and preview content.

•Quipp Systems Inc. showcased its upgraded Packman II packaging system, now equipped with a Signode strapping module. The Chicago Sun-Times and Asheville (N.C.) Citizen Times, have already purchased the upgraded units.

•Rima-System showed a new version of the RS 36 Compensating Counter Stacker, which includes servomotors in the upper bin as well as in the pusher in the bucket. The combination of servo forks and servo pusher allows for high-quality bundles even on 4- and 8-page tabs, as well as on fold work. Because of its servo technology approach, there is virtually no dropped product from the upper to lower bin, thereby minimizing rejogging finished editions, Rima said.

•Smith RPM rolled out its new Oden automatic color and cutoff registration systems, developed specifically for newspaper presses.

•Software Consulting Services unveiled a new suite of ad management applications, called AdBoss. The software includes ColorAdBoss, an advertising department-oriented color availability module; ReserveAdBoss, which funnels information from an order entry system to SCS’ Layout-8000 software; Standby AdBoss, an ad remnant sales app; and AdReason, an analytics tool. It’s also rolling out Community Advertising Services, self-service classified software that’s integrated with SCS’ AdMax app.

SCS will also display an upgrade to Layout-8000. Version 11 includes new report presentations, XML interfaces and a beefed-up user interface.

•Stepper Inc. introduced its Big Stuff feeder, based on a vacuum tube feed technology that enables it to feed a wider variety of products.

The feeder can be used in both offline and inline operations and can handle pre-inserted advance sections, completes and TMCs that other vacuum feeders can’t process, Stepper said. Existing Stepper Sunday inserting systems can be retrofitted with the new vacuum technology to improve their capabilities.

•Tansa Systems showed its new Workgroup Edition subscription-based service, which offers lower startup fees for smaller newspapers wanting to deploy Tansa proofing in their newsrooms. There are no server hardware requirements and service is based on a per-user monthly licensing fee.

Tansa also announced its latest installs at Adu Dhabi Media, Bay Area News Group, Canwest Publishing, Newsday and The Economist; and announced a reseller partnership with MediaSpan.

•Tera Digital Publishing introduced the Web content management portion of its GN3 software, GNWeb, which the vendor said is content-neutral, and allows users to accept copy from a variety of sources including the Web (see related story, page 40).

•VoicePort upgrades app: VoicePort released an upgrade to its CircPort software, providing additional speech recognition and transactional support.