October 28th 2003 – Having invested in three 47cm cut-off Goss HT70 double width newspaper presses in 2002, Politika Newspapers and Magazines in Belgrade Serbia has invested once again with Goss.
Following an inward investment by the German media group Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ), after the original Goss press installation in 2002, Politika has now invested in an upgrade to its existing Goss HT70 presses with another press comprising three new four-high towers, one 2:5:5 jaw folder and three reelstands plus a new bar stack and press controls package.
This investment is to increase production capacity enabling printing of existing newspapers and contract print in full color. This order will expand production capabilities by some 20%. As well as printing its own daily newspaper, Politika - one of the most widely respected newspapers in the former Yugoslavia - it also prints an evening daily newspaper, Ekspres, a daily sports paper, Sportski Zumal, and 14 magazines.
Mr Dust, Politika’s Eastern European Technical Co-ordinator comments, “This order has been made after the success we have had with our Goss HT70 press lines that were installed last year. We have been extremely happy with their performance and, wishing to further increase our production capacity, we have chosen Goss once again to fulfil our needs.”
The new presses will be up and running by mid-2004, printing the main title Politika, which has a circulation Monday – Thursday of 110,00 copies, 130,000 copies on Friday and 150,000 copies on Saturday.
Goss European General Sales Manager, Martin Campbell, comments, "The Politika project is a practical demonstration of Goss International's ability to successfully partner large European groups when faced with developing their production facilities in the emerging European markets. As well as having a comprehensive newspaper press portfolio, Goss has the necessary cultural experience to operate effectively within the whole of Europe, locally, regionally and nationally. This capability is underpinned by sound project management, a strong emphasis on service delivery combined with a network of local agents."
In fact, Goss can now boast around 118 customers in 27 countries across Central and Eastern Europe. Goss International is focusing on increased activity for this important market region in 2004, with the target of growing its already strong customer presence in the area.
“It is an indicator of the speed of growth in these emerging markets, that Politika has invested in an upgrade plan so soon after the initial installation,” concludes Martin Campbell. “Many Eastern European countries have seen advertising spend grow at a rate that is significantly higher than the European average. The region as a whole has developed a competitive and rapidly expanding advertising market, with a very healthy newspaper advertising segment and with the new press installation, Politika will be well placed to take full advantage of this.”