The Worcester-based company will double its print capacity by expanding its existing Goss Metro press with two shaftless Goss Colorliner 70 four-high towers.

The new towers, which will go into production in 2004 and come with Goss digital inking system, will increase the firms printing capacity from 15 to 31 couples.

The order also includes a Goss CT50 three-arm reelstand, one new 2:3:3 jaw folder and a refurbished 2:3:3 jaw folder.

Newsquest (Midlands South) production manager Paul Wesley said the combination of the press digital inking, automatic blanket wash and colour register guidance system would allow it to be fully integrated into the companys press line and reduce the levels of waste.

The company prints local newspapers including the Worcester Evening News, Dudley News, Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter, Hereford Times, and the Evesham Journal.

Goss International director of marketing David Stamp said many newspaper publishers were adding to their colour capacity by extending and retrofitting their press lines.

Last week both Archant Print, also with Goss, and the Irish News, with MAN Roland, announced multi-million-pound investments in presses (PrintWeek, 16 October).

Gannetts total operating revenues increased by 3.9% to 976m ($1.63bn), for the three months to 28 September, with a 2.6% increase in operating income to 276.6m. The groups newspaper advertising revenues jumped 6% to 638.2m.

Story by John Davies