Oosterhout, September 2016
- It was a year ago that an automation system supplied by Q.I. Press Controls (QIPC) was installed for
the very first time at the Star Tribune printing plant. The mRC-3D for
register control is now functioning to the complete satisfaction of the Star
Tribune based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
(USA).
“We're extremely happy with the improvements in quality and reductions in
waste.”
The Star Tribune has no fewer
than five printing presses on which its own newspaper as well as others,
including USA Today, are printed. Three years ago, the company expressed an
interest in register control for one of its presses. Systems from several
different suppliers were considered, but in the end, QIPC’s mRC-3D came
out as being the best match for automating register control on Star Tribune's
Goss Headliner. “QIPC’s know-how and approach towards the Goss hydraulic
system, plus the guarantee that the register control would work, swung our
decision”, explains Kevin Desmond, Senior Vice-President of Operations at the
Star Tribune.
Top quality
The system consists of six
cameras. “The mRC-3D system brings about savings in waste and a quality
in the final product that is second to none”, adds Ronald Reedijk, managing
director of QIPC-EAE Americas. “That's extremely important to them, since at
the very moment they wanted to have the system installed, they'd just struck a
deal with Gannett to print USA Today for the region.”
Star Tribune has since been
using the system for a year and the Minneapolis-based concern is delighted with
it. “It works like clockwork”, explains Kevin Desmond. “We're extremely happy
with the improvements in quality and reductions in waste.” In addition to the
system itself, Star Tribune is likewise extremely content with the
collaboration with QIPC. “After a slow start, QIPC has turned out to be a real
ally”, said Kevin Desmond. “They managed to clear all the hurdles that
installation and testing put in their way.”
Intensification of
collaboration
QIPC foresees great
opportunities in intensifying the relationship. Ronald Reedijk: “They have a
total of five printing presses, three of which are used on a frequent basis.
Because our system is now proving itself more than competent at Star Tribune, I
think it's more than likely we'll be involved in the upgrade of their other
presses.”
