Leipzig, 14 October 2003— Oce Digital Newspaper Network (DNN) has today announced at Ifra in Leipzig, Germany, the opening of a new newspaper production site in Valencia, Spain, to open up an important market for publishers. Four Norwegian titles will become the first beneficiaries of this unique way of producing newspapers digitally that look and feel the same as those produced in traditional offset methods.
Aftenposten, Stavanger Aftenblad, Bergens Tidene and Fædrelandsvennen are being digitally produced by Edimark, Océ DNN´s production partner in Valencia, to cater for a market growing by 5% a year. These titles are now available in several Spanish locations at the same time as in Norway whereas previously their readers in Spain received the same copies up to three days later.
The publishing houses send their files digitally to Edimark, which prints the papers in a mix of broadsheet and tabloid formats on Océ Newspaper System 7000 with copies then going into distribution.
The growing reputation and expertise of Océ, the recognised world leader in short-run digital print production, was a key reason for the decision. Frode Leidland, sales manager of Stavanger Aftenblad, said: "At any one time there are 20,000 Norwegians living in Spain, and with an expected growth of 5 % per year in the area it made sense for us to start there.
"It was important that the papers could be printed in a place where many of our existing and future subscribers live. It also means that we can further develop our co-operation with our current distributor in the area. Océ's DNN system seemed a good choice, not least because Océ can produce good international references, clearly understands our needs and has the competence and contacts we need access to."
Leidland added: "Norwegian and Spanish advertisers are looking at this new business venture to tailor make their marketing directly at the target group represented by Norwegians abroad and specifically in Spain."
Tim Venediger, segment marketing director of Océ DNN, said: "The opening of this new site in Spain is an important step in our plans to provide a global network of short-run digital newspaper production for specialist titles in international markets. The early availability of the newspapers in Spain for both Norwegians living there as well as tourists, will certainly increase subscriber demand for the titles."