September 15, 2003 -- The International Herald Tribune (IHT) has selected Oce’s world-acclaimed digital production technology to print in Australia, enabling the IHT Asian edition to be available on the streets of Sydney whilst matching the same early morning distribution enjoyed throughout the rest of the Pacific rim. Océ, the recognised world leader in short-run digital newspaper production, has opened up day of publication readership in Australia for the IHT through its print site. Previously the newspapers were transported in a seven-hour flight from Singapore resulting in delayed distribution of 24 hours. Now it takes as little as 20 minutes from final editorial sign-off to transmit the pages via the worldwide web to the print site in Sydney. Alistair McEwan, IHT Regional Director South Asia/Pacific, said: “We are always looking for new ways of improving our service to our readers and advertisers, and printing locally is an important and exciting step for the IHT in Australia and in line with our global growth strategy”. The IHT is being printed on an Océ Newspaper System 7000 by Security Mail Pty Ltd, Océ’s strategic print partner in Australia, which already produces The Guardian and The Observer newspapers at the same site. Steve Sparkes, managing director of Security Mail, said: “The fact that the International Herald Tribune has started printing on the Océ press as well as the Guardian Newspapers Ltd is a welcome boost in what has been a difficult economic climate. We are absolutely delighted to have another internationally respected title join us here in Sydney.” Paul Krisson, business development manager for Océ Digital Newspaper Network, said: “After the initial “bedding-in” period, we have been extremely encouraged by the readers’ reaction to the digitally printed newspaper, and sales have been encouraging. There is positive recognition in the marketplace of the value and advantages of printing international editions of newspapers digitally – ones that look and feel the same as those traditionally produced – at ‘local’ sites.” This revolutionary way of printing newspapers to an international audience at remote locations– via a high-speed digital data distribution network – has received widespread worldwide support, particularly from senior figures in the printing and publishing industry.