“We have heavily invested in automation and processes, and in structures that would enable us to print our products economically,” says Mr. Matthias Tietz, Technical Director of RBD.

Quality-wise, the Cortina is positioned between newspaper and heatset quality. No matter what paper grade is used, it is the same print technology and only one type of ink is used for all production runs. Only one operator is needed to run the entire press, no matter how many pages are produced.

Mr. Tietz says the traditional limits in web printing between newspapers (coldset), heatset and gravure printing are blurring. He is convinced that with modern technology in printing and postpress, newspaper printers can produce such a high quality that they can easily go for catalogues, magazines and various advertising material as well.

But to achieve these goals, he says investments - also in people and quality management - are indispensable. The keys to success are making the public aware of your brands by offering new, unexpected products to the market.

“We do not want a very broad offer, but are looking more for the niches. Before we were a newspaper printer. Today we are a commercial printer, producing newspapers as well. Customer orientation on the part of all employees is vital to success.”