10.13.14
Compared to previous years, Koenig & Bauer’s (KBA) management board was not able to report an influx of orders in the international newspaper industry during its press conference at this year’s World Publishing Expo in Amsterdam.
Since 2011. the international slump in investment in web offset presses for newspapers and publications has intensified following a minor interim high in 2010, and in 2014 the global volume of new web press orders will reach a new low of below €300 million.
Possible relevant business models with high-volume digital presses, such as the KBA RotaJET, have been a subject of lively debate in the industry and also tested occasionally, but newspaper publishers have remained extremely hesitant to make the necessary investments. Pioneers are needed, like so often in the long history of the newspaper industry.
“Traditional newspaper houses currently connect digital first with online or mobile activities,” Christoph Müller, KBA executive vice president for the web press division, said. “The previously large web offset market segment has mutated into a niche market in terms of volume. This makes it difficult for suppliers to maintain customary R&D standards and offer free consultation which is why we have initiated additional activities, such as the partnership with HP in the digital corrugated packaging printing segment We are doing our best and have streamlined ourselves as a product house.”
Since 2011. the international slump in investment in web offset presses for newspapers and publications has intensified following a minor interim high in 2010, and in 2014 the global volume of new web press orders will reach a new low of below €300 million.
Possible relevant business models with high-volume digital presses, such as the KBA RotaJET, have been a subject of lively debate in the industry and also tested occasionally, but newspaper publishers have remained extremely hesitant to make the necessary investments. Pioneers are needed, like so often in the long history of the newspaper industry.
“Traditional newspaper houses currently connect digital first with online or mobile activities,” Christoph Müller, KBA executive vice president for the web press division, said. “The previously large web offset market segment has mutated into a niche market in terms of volume. This makes it difficult for suppliers to maintain customary R&D standards and offer free consultation which is why we have initiated additional activities, such as the partnership with HP in the digital corrugated packaging printing segment We are doing our best and have streamlined ourselves as a product house.”