As part of a progressive expansion plan, People's Daily of Beijing, China has ordered a two-around Goss Universal press from Goss International. With six four-high towers and a speed of 75,000 copies per hour, the new press will provide extra capacity to handle a rapid growth in People's Daily's subsidiary titles, such as the Global Times and International Financial Daily. A brand new printing facility is also being planned to accommodate more new presses in the future.

The new Goss Universal press will replace a Goss Metroliner, which was installed in the early 1980s. According to Mr. Wang Jinhu, director of People's Daily printing center, "The Goss press quality and reliability has been proven by our 30-year-old Goss Metroliner presses that are still running. As today's readers and advertisers call for more flexibility, efficiency and better color quality, we know that the Goss Universal press will deliver."

The Universal press at People's Daily will have a two-around printing cylinder configuration and two folders. This combination provides a range of webbing options, with full color on every page for 24-page broadsheet or 48-page tabloid products. The two folders allow the full capacity of the press to be applied to a single product or to be split to deliver two products simultaneously. Fast makeready and automated job-change features of the new Universal press will allow for efficient switching from one newspaper title to another.

People's Daily was the first newspaper publisher to buy Goss brand presses in China in the 1980s. Since its inception in 1948, the company, headquartered in Beijing, has expanded through satellite printing centers to serve the many regions of China with localized editions of People's Daily and other titles. Many of these satellite sites are running Goss presses, including single-width Community SSC and Magnum 4 presses.

With publication started in June 1948 and a current circulation of 3 million copies, People's Daily is among the most influential and authoritative newspapers in China.

Within the full portfolio of titles published by People's Daily are key newspaper titles including People's Daily Overseas Edition, China Energy Daily, International Financial Daily, Jiangnan Times, Global Times, Securities Times, Health Times and Satire and Humor. In addition, the company prints several monthly magazines including The Earth, News Front, Auto Club and People's Forum.

"This array of products not only requires printing flexibility, but also high quality and reliability from the reelstand right through the printing units to the folder," confirms Mr Wang Jinhu. "Goss International offers us the best value for all the features we require. Additionally, the strength of the Goss International sales and service organization in China gives us confidence and assurance. We believe working with a solid organization with trustworthy local resources supports our long-term growth and expansion."