May 12, 2004 -- Oce, the world leader in short-run digital newspaper production, has started targeting regional publications as part of expansion plans that involve combining digital and web offset newspaper production for the first time. drupa 2004 in Düsseldorf has been chosen as a starting point for a new business line where supplement runs of up to 100,000 copies can be produced for any one publisher alone. Produced on the Océ 9000 web system, the digitally produced pages of daily extracts from international titles are then merged with an offset-produced daily news magazine – called Connections – printed on a MAN Roland ROTOMAN. The two products are pulled together by a Schur mailroom system within the PrintWorks factory in PrintCity’s Hall 6 at drupa, with distribution of the finished product next morning. It’s a case of a “daily newspaper” becoming a supplement to a glossy title, as opposed to the traditional set up of magazine supplements within newspapers. Tim Venediger, head of Océ Digital Newspaper Network (DNN), the driving force behind the project, said: “We are aware of the investment and R&D strategies from the key manufacturers of offset press technology and their race to achieve genuine computer to press functionality. These suppliers are spending millions of R&D dollars on focusing on how to get cost-effective shorter runs with quicker turnaround times. In a sense they are desperate to get to where we are today. “Digital printing technology for newspapers has a vital role to play as an increasing number of newspaper publishers are looking to have additional supplements enabling a specific regional focus.” A pilot project being masterminded by Océ at drupa involves the regional publisher Neue Westfälische – based in Bielefeld, Germany – sending through traditional offset newspapers that are then combined with digital local supplements. Another major coup for Océ at drupa involves digitially printing 15 titles, including the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, Sydney Morning Herald, Asahi and The Times of India, the world’s biggest-selling broadsheet. “The response has been overwhelming,” said Venediger. “Everybody wants to keep up with the news from their home country, especially when they’re working at drupa with no time to go out and find somewhere to buy their favourite paper from back home.” A further drupa specific project is being carried out with Rheinishe Post where Océ is producing daily several thousand eight-page supplements containing latest information about printing trends and which are supported with a range of local advertising from the regional publisher.