September 12th, 2005 – Commercial and newspaper printer, Imprimeries IPS, has ordered its third Goss Mainstream 80 web press for installation at its Châteaurenard plant near Avignon in Southern France. Press start up is scheduled for early 2007. The double-width 4x1 press combines a four-backing-four configuration with Goss Sunday press technology, including gapless blankets to provide a unique solution for high-volume printing where high quality and efficiency are prime considerations. IPS’ two existing Mainstream 80 web presses have been in production since the end of 2002 in the company’s two plants near Lyon and Amiens. The press ordered will feature a similar configuration to both installed presses, with four four-high towers, a 2:5:5 folder with double quarter fold and five Goss Contiweb FD automatic reelstands with auto-loading. The new Goss Mainstream press will have the capability to print up to 64 tabloid pages in full color, and is specified with a 578.5 mm cut-off and a 1700mm web width for a maximum tabloid format of 425 mm x 289.25 mm. Francis Cartoux, President and CEO of IPS Imprimeries explains the reasons for the investment: “Weekly freesheets of anything from 16 to 64 pages produced in run lengths between 20,000 and 350,000 copies account for about two thirds of our production in Chateaurenard. Weekly newspapers, also up to 64 pages, with runs between 10,000 and 15,000 copies, account for the remaining third. Thus the activity here, as in the whole IPS Group, is orientated towards 64-page full-color tabloid products, and we are constantly searching for the most economic technical solutions. “The Mainstream press concept fits our priorities exactly because, in addition to its superior speed, it enables us to halve the number of webs we print compared to our single-width presses. Our productivity has consequently increased by at least 50% and we benefit from the ability to vary content in increments of four tabloid pages.” IPS’ three automated Goss Mainstream 80 presses will operate with closed-loop register and inking controls. M. Cartoux is particularly pleased with the double quarter-folder mounted on all three presses at IPS and the automated reel-loading system which will equip the new press: “The double quarter-folder allows us to maintain the full speed of the machine, while automatic reel-loading helps us rationalize the paper consumption at the reelstand level without having to resort to complicated and expensive systems.” M. Cartoux continues: “Both preceding machines have fulfilled our technical specifications totally. They have allowed us to practically double our production, raise our capacity and improve our flexibility simultaneously. We are confident that this third Mainstream press will further shorten lead times and increase customer satisfaction.” Jean Segura, Goss Director of Sales, declares: “We are very proud to be associated with IPS’ remarkable growth and vision and are pleased to offer them the Mainstream press which has demonstrated its ability to consistently deliver quality and operational benefits in different production conditions, on short or long runs, with many edition changes.”