Vienna, Va. June 19, 2002 -- Despite a challenging economic year for the newspaper industry, the Newspaper Association of America’s annual Capital Equipment Expenditures Survey found that the responding newspapers are continuing to invest in equipment and technology at about the same level as last year. The results of the survey will be a topic of discussion at NAA’s NEXPO 2002 annual technology exposition and conference, taking place June 22-25 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. "Newspapers have been weathering a difficult cycle over the last year or so, but the industry is in a good position as we start to see the first signs of a moderate upswing in the economy," said NAA Senior Vice President of Technology Tom Croteau. "As this survey demonstrates, newspaper companies are continuing to think ahead and continuing to invest in their future." The total projected spending for the 196 responding newspapers is essentially flat, $476 million, compared with actual 2001 spending of $478 million. Several areas show significant spending increases. The biggest projected increases are in waste management, up 188.2 percent; warehouse equipment/pallet handling, up 94.6 percent; and warehouse/roll handling, up 82.4 percent. The survey’s top-dollar item, accounting for more than $117 million of total spending, is new press equipment. The results of the 2001-2002 NAA Capital Equipment Expenditures Survey are attached. Members of the press interested in covering NEXPO 2002 can register onsite at the NEXPO Press Office in room 204B at the convention center beginning Friday, June 21. All media will be asked for photo identification and current press credentials, or a letter from an assigning editor. Sponsors of NEXPO 2002 are: Brainworks Software, Baseview Products, Flint Ink, Harris Publishing Systems, Heidelberg, Olive Software, SAP America, and SAXoTECH Inc.