The Chicago Tribune last month picked Goss International Corp. to install six Magnapak packaging systems to upgrade its daily and TMC postpress operations.

Goss said it’s the largest single order it has ever received for its packaging technology.

The Tribune is installing five systems, along with Omnizone control software, to handle daily preprint production at its downtown Freedom Center facility. The sixth Magnapak will be installed at Tribune Direct for selective packaging of the company’s TMC product for non-subscribers, Goss said. Each of the systems can process up to 30,000 copies per hour.

Four of the Freedom Center systems will be equipped with 46 stations. The fifth will have 36 stations and will be engineered for dual delivery. The Tribune Direct packager will have 34 stations.

The Chicago Tribune’s five new Magnapak inserters will allow more sophisticated zoning, the paper said.
Illustration: Goss

Targeted zoning

The upgrade will enable the Tribune to allow targeted zoning of inserts to sub-ZIP code levels, said Tony Hunter, vice president of operations.

“We are investing in our preprint production capabilities to provide advertisers with several effective delivery options to meet their targeting needs,” Hunter said.

“This is a visionary project driven by innovative technology and ideas about how printed newspapers can deliver greater value for advertisers and readers,” said Goss Chief Executive Officer Bob Brown. “We are pleased to extend our relationship with the Tribune through an installation that highlights the potential of  unique packaging and supervisory control technology.”

Installation will begin in February. The project will wrap up in 2008, Goss said.

In addition to the Goss equipment, the Tribune bought 14 stackers from Quipp Systems Inc. The 500 series machines will replace existing Quipp 300 and 350 series stackers.