Oosterhout, - Q.I. Press Controls, the developer of innovative automated press control technologies, has been contracted to provide mRC+ and IDS optical measurement controls on News Limited's web presses in its Sydney and Brisbane print sites. The total order will be for 60 webs.

In a project that highlights News Limited's firm commitment to ongoing improvement of its print products, the company has contracted Q.I. Press Controls to install mRC+ colour register control and IDS markless closed loop colour control systems to its manroland GEOMAN presses in Sydney and NEWSMAN presses in Brisbane. This installation is in conjunction with manroland, who will provide press control systems and electronics in the installation.

This major investment by News Limited is an affirmation of the company's belief in a strong future for its printed newspaper and magazine products, and for print in general as a powerful communication medium. It also confirms that Q.I. Press Controls' innovative and reliable press control technologies meet the needs of print companies around the world, such as News Limited, in their drive for better performance coupled with higher print quality.

National Production and Logistics Director at News Limited, Geoff Booth, said, "This is an important message to the industry, our customers and our staff that News Limited is committed to newspapers."

News Limited's requirements included more accurate colour ink density control during press operations for greater colour accuracy and print consistency, while reducing labour hours to achieve it. These installations will also deliver a reduction in the volume of waste produced from press start-ups and savings in ink usage.

"This installation will provide a consistently better quality product to our readers," said Mr Booth. "The optical measurement and the ink lay down processes become a scientific process that eliminates the variations from the currently manual process. The result we are after is that our readers will notice greater consistency in our newpsapers."

Q.I. Press Controls' chairman and managing director, Menno Jansen, commented that the contract was awarded by News Limited because Q.I. Press Controls paid close attention to the present and future needs of News Limited, and responded with solutions that ensure the company's manroland GEOMAN presses will continue to deliver optimum performance, print quality and consistency for many years to come.

Menno Jansen said that this deal with News Limited was a very encouraging step forward for the acceptance of Q.I. Press Controls' optical control technology in the Australasian print market. "I am honoured with this prestigious order and looking forward to the partnership with News Limited. This order demonstrates that print is still alive and investments are being made in quality optimisation and production efficiency."

"We are pleased to be recognised by News Limited as one of the world's leading print equipment companies to support them with our innovative technology in delivering a quality product to its customers. Local support is handled by our agent Ferrostaal," said Mr Jansen.