What was your first job in the newspaper business?

Ad and page composition at the Clinton (Iowa) Herald.

What do you like most about your job?

Primarily the diversity of the work, whether it’s people, process or equipment and the ability to effect a more positive, productive and safe working environment for our employees. I find the development and refinement of processes and systems both challenging and rewarding.

What do you like least?

Dealing with major equipment breakdowns on deadline.

What was your newspaper’s most recent purchase/installation?

Our most recent purchase was a complete mailroom system from GMA including: SLS2000 inserters, SAM planning software, Bundlers, Flexiroll storage and retrieval system and a press gripper conveyor. We were impressed with the thought process GMA has put into the development of their systems. GMA not only manufactures their own equipment, but they run a packaging facility where they test their equipment and refine their processes. They also had a very strong training program for operators.

What is the biggest challenge your newspaper is facing in production?

Like most newspapers, we are consistently evaluating our processes for more efficiencies while also maintaining quality. In the past year, we restructured our production support department to bring more structure and focused resources to preventative maintenance. We have also focused on establishing a quality review process on consumables as we receive product and a process for tracking the impact on our production runs. The results of both of these initiatives has been very positive.

What trend are you keeping your eye on?

Computer-to-plate technology is definitely one of our focuses. But our primary focus has been on the development of lean manufacturing processes within our production facility and educating our staff on all of the aspects of that manufacturing philosophy.