"Throughout its history, the Journal has consistently invested in the latest technology,” says Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor Inc. “That approach is at the heart of Quebecor's corporate culture. With this modernization project, Le Journal de Montréal will maintain its rightful first-place position.” Ground breaking on the 200,000 sq ft site took place in late summer and the plant is scheduled to be fully operational by April 2007. “We have carefully mapped out a plan for phasing in the new COLORMAN presses,” says Denis Tetrault, Vice President of Production. “We’re confident that the project management team from MAN Roland will ensure that the transition is a smooth one. No other manufacturer could be as responsive as MAN Roland. They have proven this over and over again in the industry.” Initiating one of the most extensive technology makeovers in the history of the North American newspaper business, Quebecor Inc. is constructing two separate $110 million facilities to rev-up production of several leading newspapers in Canada, while providing substantial commercial printing capacity. Both plants will be anchored with new MAN Roland COLORMAN printing systems. Toronto Sun In the Toronto suburb of Islington, Ontario, Quebecor Inc. will soon be constructing a new plant that will produce three of the companies leading newspapers — the Toronto Sun, the London Free Press and 24 hours. The centerpiece of the facility will be three COLORMAN press lines, each incorporating 12 printing towers, 16 reel stands and 3 jaw folders. Co-owned by Quebecor Media and Quebecor World, the facility will also produce commercial print work, including directories for Yellow Book. One of the largest directory publishers in the U.S., Yellow Book recently signed a long-term $900 million contract with Quebecor World to print 100% of its directories. Le Journal de Montréal In the Montréal suburb of Mirabel, construction is well underway on the second $110 million facility that will print the largest circulation newspaper in Quebec, Le Journal de Montréal, as well as additional newspaper and commercial work. Increasing the color capacity of the largest-circulation French-language daily in the Americas is the prime purpose of the COLORMAN installation in Mirabel. Currently the Journal can print 48 pages out of 128 pages in color on its existing four nine-unit Goss presses. The three new COLORMAN lines will bring all 128 pages up to full color. “The new equipment will enable us to produce an all-color newspaper, from the first to the last page, for our readers and advertisers,” says Lyne Robitaille, President and Publisher, Journal de Montréal. “This leap forward will give us an unlimited selection of colors for both editorial content and advertising, and help us deliver a more attractive and readable product.” Each press line is configured with 12 printing towers, 16 reel stands and 3 jaw folders, and will be capable of producing 86,000 copies per hour. They will be equipped with MAN Roland’s innovative automation for their pressroom operations. A folder capable of producing directories will also be integrated into the pressroom. Profitability Tetrault expects to chop 40% off the time it takes his crews to change plates, thanks to MAN Roland’s automated Power Plate Loading (PPL) system. He also is counting on a considerable drop in makeready waste, since COLORMAN streamlines virtually every element of the makeready process. Those efficiencies will translate well to the commercial side of the operation once the plant is up and running next spring. “Extra productivity results in extra capacity,” Tetrault says. “We plan to put that potential to work producing commercial projects.” The print quality produced by MAN Roland COLORMAN presses make them well suited for commercial printing. “Newspapers need to develop more profit centers in order to compete and succeed in the world of media today,” says Vincent Lapinski, COO of Web Operations for MAN Roland Inc. “MAN Roland designs newspaper presses that are capable of producing commercial work with little or no modification. With solutions like these, MAN Roland can help our customers maximize their profits.” Le Journal de Montréal has set up a website to keep its employees and readers up to date on completion of its new printing facility. It can be accessed at www.journalmtl.canoe.com/en/. Canada’s Largest Le Journal de Montréal, the Toronto Sun, the London Free Press and 24 hours are owned by Sun Media Corporation, Canada's largest national chain of tabloids and community newspapers. Sun Media publishes eight urban dailies, covering most major centers in Canada, three free dailies, nine local dailies, and nearly 200 weeklies, buyers guides and other specialty publications in Canada. Its newspapers have a combined weekly circulation of over 12 million copies. Sun Media Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., one of Canada's leading communications companies and a division of Quebecor Inc.