With its Oxford print site delivering forecast savings from press automation, Gannett-owned Newsquest is moving its focus to Glasgow.
The UK media company is working with QI Press Controls and press maker Koenig & Bauer to add automatic cut-off and colour-register and closed-loop colour and damp control at the Glasgow site.
Print centre manager Stuart McLean says that with the poor performance of an earlier register system, an investment in new automation was necessary. "With the challenging figures in print circulation and an increased focus on costs, it is necessary for us to embrace new technologies in order to reduce costs," he says.
Among challenges faced on the K&B Colora presses are printed waste and press efficiency. QI's technology has been in use at various Newsquest sites over a number of years, but a decision on Glasgow awaited review of performance figures for Oxford, where QI's ROI figures have now been shown to be correct.
Koenig & Bauer is to supervise the project and integration with 11 mRC-3D cameras for cut-off control and 12 for IDS-3D colour and register control being installed.
"With K&B and QIPC working together, we have high expectations in terms of cost savings. In the first instance, this is about waste savings, faster start-up and more consistency in the printed matter," says McLean. He says the technology has exceeded expectations in its other print facilities and Newsquest is "counting on the system to do what it promises".