Presses

Reaction to the news that Goss International is developing the world’s first 96pp commercial web offset press (PrintWeek, 25 October) has been mixed to say the least.

The mammoth machine is clearly aimed at some of the bigger players in the magazine and catalogue printing market. But several observers believe the development provides more questions than answers, while others wonder if it’s targeting a very small market.

The first printer to be receiving the monster web press, called the Sunday 5000, will be Italian commercial printer Grafiche Mazzucchelli, based in Seriate, Italy. It will take delivery of the 4x12-format, 2,860mm-wide press at the end of 2008.

MAN Roland didn’t seem overly impressed by the announcement, with director for web sales in the UK John Ellis saying he didn’t envisage a huge demand for this configuration. But he did concede the format “bridged the gap between web offset and gravure”.

Goss director of marketing Eric Bell argues that the latest development is feasible because of the Sunday’s technology. He points out that each blanket is gapless, resulting in more stability. It is technology, Bell says, that rival press manufacturers don’t have, meaning they can’t go as wide.

Meeting demand
“In the UK, there are a number of printers of large publications we can provide for with this particular product,” says Bell. “This press is a natural progression for us. Its development has been based on market demands and there are a number of printers in the UK that can exploit this particular product initiative. It also means that gravure printers have an alternative.”

But not everyone in the industry believes that going up to 96pp is so straightforward. BGP group sales director Bob Caley believes that going up against gravure is “a battle you can’t win”.

“If you think you can take on that market you are living in cloud-cuckoo land,” he adds. “We certainly won’t be signing the cheque to buy a 96pp press.”

BGP is a MAN Roland customer and Caley observes that getting over the 72pp mark poses challenges. “There are massive technical issues once you go larger than 72pp. MAN Roland have been dipping their toe into 80pp, but not as far as 96pp. It is a massive step.”

Pindar Graphics operations director Dave Williams  doesn’t doubt the benefits for a firm that needs to produce large-pagination products. But he argues that some issues need to be clarified.

“For example, can the paper mills consistently supply the extra-wide reels of paper suitable for heatset litho, particularly the lighter weights of paper? Could there be an increased risk of roll deformation during handling, perhaps negatively impacting on high-speed splicing,” he asks.

Bases covered?
 “Managing the blankets, in terms of how they are used, rotated and stored to ensure longevity and unnecessary wear and tear, will also be an issue,” he adds.

Goss’ Bell says that all the peripherals have been considered. He claims that with the gapless blanket technology, high speed can be maintained. This is in contrast to other manufacturers in the market which, he says, would have to slow down when developing a 96pp press.

But Pindar’s Williams adds: “Another consideration is how the calcium carbonate deposits and heat build-up, which can occur at the roller ends of the press, are managed if narrow web work has to be produced.”

Narrow could be the word applied to the market that this press would appeal to, according to PCP managing director Alex Evans. “Goss has obviously done its research but my view is that the market within the UK will be very small. Clearly they are looking for larger-run direct mail or catalogue work for gravure printers or the larger web players.”

Reducing market
But he argues that Goss won’t be winning any orders from the majority of web commercial printers and that the market for a 96pp press is shrinking in the UK. “The circulation of magazines is reducing. With most B2B titles and news-stand magazines having print runs of fewer than 65,000, the press will not be attractive.”

Goss clearly thinks otherwise and at the end of next year the first commercial tests will be up and underway. Bell “didn’t want to speculate” if Goss could one day manufacture a 100pp press but if it has the technology to go 96pp, that might be a possibility in the future.

The UK response to the 96pp press has been lukewarm, which suggests this market wouldn’t be receptive to anything bigger and that  Goss will struggle to convince the magazine and catalogue market that 96pp is the way forward – especially if print runs become shorter.

---

Goss Sunday 5000
• Targets the high-end commercial web printer
• Likely to produce magazines, catalogues and long-run direct mail
• The 96pp press follows on from Goss’ success with the 48pp and 64pp Sunday presses with pinless folders
• More than 2,000 Sunday presses have been installed worldwide since they first appeared in 1993
l• The first Sunday 5000 will be installed at commercial printer Grafiche Mazzucchelli. Goss will also supply the Italian firm with a Contiweb FD paster and Eco cool dryer with integrated chill rolls