Philadelphia Media Holdings LLC is in the finishing stages of a year-long project to reduce the web width of its nine Goss International Corp. Colorliner presses from 50 inches to 48 inches.

The project will wrap up in May, said Tom Bernth, senior aftermarket sales manager at Goss, which is performing the work.

The reduction, which began last summer, also involves an upgrade of nine folders that will improve the delivery and folding of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News and other products, Bernth said.

 

The web-width reduction is in addition to new press console controls. Rockwell Automation is installing PrintLogix software and 18 consoles, two for each press. Rockwell also added an ink presetting system and is replacing proprietary drive PLCs and networking with open apps that run on Ethernet.

The console software will also enable PMH to monitor the press’ performance and generate other management reports.

Bernth said Goss’ web-width reduction business continues to percolate as papers tap the vendor to retool their presses to reduce newsprint consumption.

Projects currently under way include Gannett Offset in Springfield, Va.; El Tiempo in Colombia; the Houston Chronicle; the Reno (Nev.) Gazette-Journal, the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Charleston (S.C.) Post & Courier.