Latin American publisher C.A. Diario Panorama has chosen Goss Universal XL press technology to boost production capacity at its print facility in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The new installation will allow Diario Panorama to add color and more pages to two of the country’s most popular daily newspapers.
 
With the new Universal XL four-high press tower added to an existing Goss Metroliner press line dating back to 1983, the extended press line will be capable of producing an additional 16 broadsheet pages in full color for the publisher’s flagship title Panorama or an additional 32 full-color pages of tabloid daily Mi Diario. Printing 110,000 copies daily of Panorama and 130,000 copies on Sunday, Diario Panorama boasts the second most popular national newspaper in Venezuela. The 96 year-old company also publishes and prints 115,000 copies of Mi Diario.
 
Diario Panorama not only investigated competitive systems but also considered high-specification equipment on the used press market before deciding that the Universal XL press was the best match in both features and price. After using Goss press equipment for many years, past experience favored Goss International for the new investment but, according to production manager Luis Enrique Ramírez, the decision was based principally upon the price/performance ratio of the Universal XL press.
 
“We’ve been very happy with our choice of Goss technology in the past, both in terms of the quality of the press equipment installed and the follow-up services, including the availability of spare parts, maintenance and technical service. For this reason, we were delighted to discover that, in the Universal XL 4x2 press, once again Goss International had the best product on offer for our current requirements. The level of product specification available for the price was unmatched by any other manufacturer and surpassed the alternatives.”
 
Goss International developed the 4x1 and 4x2 Universal XL press models to address an emerging requirement in several regions for presses that can deliver double-width productivity along with versatility, simplified operation and a lower investment cost. Complementing the single-width Universal models, the Universal XL presses also incorporate technologies and design elements found in higher-performance Uniliner 4x1 and 4x2 models. The 4x2 Universal XL model can produce up to 75,000 copies per hour and is available in web widths of up to 1220 millimeters (48 inches).
 
“Universal presses have a well-earned reputation for print quality, performance and value worldwide. These presses have been installed in every conceivable configuration for an extensive variety of newspaper, semi-commercial and combined applications,” comments Ernesto Oliveira, senior vice president of Goss International in Latin America. “This installation will truly prove the versatility and modularity of today’s Universal press series. We have continually applied our R&D resources to enhance the platform, and the Universal XL press is a direct response to the evolving requirements of our customers.”
 
To learn more about the Goss Universal XL press and other new developments in the Goss product portfolio, please visit the Goss International booth (#1235) at the 2011 Graphics of the Americas show to be held in Orlando, February 24-26.