ON DEMAND -- April 24, 2002 -- (WhatTheyThink.com Editor@Large - Noel Ward) -- Expanding its relationship with global printing leader Quebecor World and Oce Printing Systems are taking advantage of the favorable economics of digital book manufacturing and publishing. New markets combined with book publishing and manufacturing economics continue to proliferate the number of titles being published in small quantities. This market shift, combined with Oce’s advancements in digital technology are helping drive a new reality of digital book manufacturing. Higher production speeds and quality offer attractive economic propositions for run lengths far below what traditional offset could offer. Digital book manufacturing enhances the book lifecycle by matching smaller production quantities to end-user demand, dramatically reducing warehousing and reprint costs. Printers can help publishers keep more titles in print, while reducing losses on slower sellers. Publishers benefit from better cost management and reduced inventory burden. "The new Digital Trade Book operation will be located in our Martinsburg, West Virginia facility," said Gary Wetzel, Group Vice President of Finance and Administration at Quebecor World Book Services. The investment represents a major expansion of Quebecor World's digital printing network in its Dubuque, Eusey Press and Pendell facilities. Tom Long, president of Oce Printing Systems USA says, "As cost and manufacturing pressures continue to mount, book printers are looking for better ways to manage their business and deliver new opportunities to their book publishing clients. Digital book manufacturing is quickly becoming the way to accomplish both of these goals." "There is mounting evidence that digital book publishing is a business model that works," continued Long. "We are able to provide cost-effective printing solutions and finishing options with quality that is virtually indistinguishable from offset." The new Digital Trade operation, or module, in Quebecor parlance, will be focused on the production of ultra-short run 1-color trade books in quantities of less than 1,000. The initial equipment configuration will consist of two Oce DemandStream 8090cx roll-fed presses to produce book blocks, one KBA Karat-74 digital sheetfed press to produce 4-color offset covers, one Horizon BQ-460 binder from Standard Finishing Machine, and other ancillary and laminating equipment. Production is expected to begin in May. "Industry excitement has been so strong we have already begun taking orders," related Wetzel. "A whole new world is now possible," adds Long. "One where Quebecor World can offer significantly enhanced services to their publishing customers. Just imagine: a book never needs to go out of print, because it is possible to print small quantities profitably. Together, we can help write an exciting and profitable new chapter in the book publishing industry"