August 23, 2004 -- Burlington, Vermont — One of the nation’s premier short-to-medium-run magazine production specialists is significantly increasing its printing capacity. Lane Press has purchased a new four-unit MAN Roland ROTOMAN, complete with a new single-chopper combination folder rated at 65,000 impressions per hour. The 16-page press is set to be installed at Lane Press next April, with an early summer start-up date scheduled. The ROTOMAN and another web press that Lane Press is installing will significantly increase the company’s printing capacity. Commenting on the purchase, Lane Press President Philip Drumheller says: “Efficiency and quality are key business drivers for us and for our customers. We continually look for ways to increase efficiency while at the same time, maintaining our ability to deliver the finest color reproduction. The new ROTOMAN will help fulfill both of those goals.” The Lane Press client list is headed by association, business-to-business, consumer, regional, and scholastic publications, ranging in run length from 10,000 to 400,000 copies per issue. That print production window puts a premium on fast make-readies and quick turn-around times. The new ROTOMAN at Lane Press will deliver many automated advancements that can be controlled and monitored at the press’ PECOM console. A closed loop color system from Web Press Controls will be integrated into the system, as will a MEGTEC splicer and dryer. “Publishers will definitely benefit from the faster turnaround the ROTOMAN will provide,” Drumheller notes. “Publication schedules have been tightening up in recent years and any magazine would profit from an extra day to fill pages with ads. ROTOMAN automation will enable us to buy that kind of time for our customers.” To further accelerate its workflow, Lane Press is embracing the principles of Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) throughout its facility. In August, Lane Press went live with a HIFLEX Management Information System (MIS) and has integrated HIFLEX with its Prinergy prepress workflow from Creo. HIFLEX, Creo and MAN Roland are all members of the Networked Graphic Production (NGP) group that is promoting the efficiencies of JDF-driven workflows. “One of the benefits of JDF-compliant technology is the sharing of data across disparate systems,” Drumheller explains. “Adding JDF-compliant equipment will give us a single access point to critical job data as well as the best possible management information. As a result, we will see measurable efficiency gains and reduced chances for human error as the process becomes fully automated." Connecting the ROTOMAN to that workflow next summer will be the next step toward a fully automated workflow. The press’ PECOM operating system was developed for network production, enabling printers to take full advantage of CIM efficiencies. Lane has over 275 publications with which it does business on a regular basis. Keeping them satisfied month-after-month is at the heart of the company’s activities. “Many of our customers measure their relationships with us in decades rather than years,” Drumheller says. “That’s why it’s so important that we meet or exceed their expectations using equipment that is guaranteed to deliver.” “We see our job as helping publishers serve their missions as specialty magazines, whether we’re printing for an Ivy League college or a trade association,” says Tracey Moran, marketing manager at Lane. “We strive to understand what our customers need to accomplish and we can proactively develop solutions to meet those needs.” Moran keeps in close touch with the Lane Press client base. The company’s customers were the first to know that Lane was acquiring a new ROTOMAN via an announcement at the Lane Press Publishers Roundtable meeting that was made within days of the purchase. Additional process reports will follow at every step of the process through the Lane Press On Your Page e-newsletter. For his part, Drumheller sees his company’s ongoing technological upgrade as the next phase in a progression that saw Lane Press switching to computer-to-plate imaging several years ago. “For one thing, we offer our customers a clear migration path to a more automated digital production environment with fast and accurate, plate-ready files and online proofing solutions. The tools we have put in place will facilitate a smooth transition. Not coincidentally, Lane Press latest technological makeover is being engineered during the year the company is celebrating its 100th anniversary. “Our technology improvements with the MIS system, all the digital workflow tools and our new press capacity are positioning us for next 100 years,” Drumheller said. “Our investment in technology demonstrates our commitment to the industry, our belief in its strength, and our determination to provide our customers with the best printing quality and over the long term.” The new ROTOMAN will be the first experience Lane Press has with MAN Roland equipment. “It’s particularly gratifying to see a successful printer recognize the value of MAN Roland technology,” says MAN Roland Sales Representative Chris Wood. “The selection of the ROTOMAN says a lot about Lane Press’ confidence in MAN Roland and our ability to develop a strong working relationship.”