Two divisions of Booth Newspapers in Michigan demonstrated quality work and were recently rewarded for their efforts with International Color Quality Awards from WAN and IFRA.

The Booth Newspapers Regional Print and Packaging Facility in prints 3 dailies, 8 weeklies, as well as commercial work on the manroland GEOMAN press.  The press is configured with 8 - 4/4 printing towers with two 2:5:5 jaw folders and utilizes a 47" web width.  To improve material handling, the press is configured with a manroland AUROSYS Automatic Storage and Retrieval System for roll storage and delivery to the press.

The press was installed in 2004 and The Grand Rapids Press was successful in winning membership to the International Color Quality Club (INCQC) for 2008-2010. For the 2010-2012 competition two different press crews were used, one printed The Grand Rapids Press and the other the Muskegon Chronicle.

They accomplished membership in the INCQC with the two daily papers while bringing another daily paper, the Kalamazoo Gazette, into production at the same time.

"The measured half of the program required several months of quality printing…." said Aaron Phipps, Assistant Production Manager.  "The manroland GEOMAN press delivers consistent color which makes it easy to optimize ink and water balance."

Phipps continued, "Having a reliable press is one part of the equation and finding the right balance in chemistry and consumables is also critical to allow the pressmen to produce consistent quality day-in and day-out."  The installation of manroland equipment at the regional print facility includes products from PPI for layout and page assembly which sends press plans to PECOM for the GEOMAN press which is supplied with paper by the AUROSYS Automated Storage and Retrieval System.

Phipps continued, "Our press crews are dedicated to putting out the best product possible to meet the demands of our readers and advertisers.  This competition has helped us grow and improve as craftsmen."

Congratulations Grand Rapids and Muskegon!