General manager of commercial Michael Newell told ProPrint that the installation of the $2m press, which was ordered in late 2009 and installed last month, went “very well”.

“The press will be used to ‘in-source’ some work previously outsourced and reduce the need for weekend shifts,” he said.

Some of that previously outsourced work is the production of gloss formats, particularly magazine covers. Newell said the press will also operate as a “back-up to APN’s Australian regional media publications”, which includes the Mackay-based Daily Mercury and Rockhampton-based Morning Bulletin.

The company completed the move to the 2,500sqm Warwick site (pictured) in February.

The move was also driven by a series of commercial printing wins. Newell estimated that as much as 70% of its work was now done for external clients.

Newell said: “The improved layout has improved workflows and eliminated problematic double handling of paper. The increased area has also provided the space needed to accommodate growth.”

He added that there were some “initial challenges with the move with quality of the press slab”, but that these were “quickly addressed”.

Newell told ProPrint earlier this year that the relocation would triple its floorspace after the installation of an eight-colour press in 2008 pushed the old facility to capacity. He also said this week that the new site offered a “safer and more comfortable work environment” for APN Print Warwick staff.

APN Print Warwick is a wholly owned subsidiary of APN News and Media and one of seven APN Print sites across Queensland.

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