Inter Presse Offset (IPO), the French regional daily press purchase group, has installed Kodak's 2,000th newspaper CTP system at La Dépêche du Midi in Toulouse.

IPO, based in Paris, is responsible for the buying activities for about one-third of all regional dailies in the country. It chose the KODAK GENERATION NEWS Systems to improve service for customers, including also Télégramme de Brest, Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest, Sud Ouest, La Montagne and La République du Centre.

Pierre Delair, IPO Purchasing Director, expects return on investment in well under two years, noting that the recently installed GENERATION NEWS Systems replaced 12 CTP systems for the group's regional dailies.

"We chose the KODAK GENERATION NEWS System for its high level of productivity," Delair said. "Also, switching from violet systems to thermal systems allowed us to reduce chemistry usage and waste treatment substantially. This was an important element in our decision."

Also important in the decision to invest was Kodak's expert advice and guidance in identifying how the investment could be helpful to IPO. "We have chosen Kodak for their ability to understand our requirements," Delair noted. "They took the time to fully assess our situation and offer just the right solution for us."

The systems are running Kodak's next generation THERMALNEWS GOLD Digital Plates designed specifically for newspaper printers. They offer improved resolution, 36-micron stochastic screening capabilities, fast processing and long run lengths, and clean processing and long developer life. Also delivered are fast restarts on press and a significant overall reduction in plate production time.

"As the leading supplier of CTP devices for newspapers globally, we are delighted that our 2,000 installations to date have been in every region for both large and small newspapers," said Rinus Hoebeke, Kodak's Newspaper Segment Director for Europe, Africa and Middle East Region. "Customers are realizing the need to differentiate themselves through better quality print and generate new revenue streams through semi-commercial print. Thermal technology is the best choice for these new opportunities, and that is driving its growth in popularity."

Thermal CTP devices initially weren't as fast as violet CTP devices, which is critical for the fast-paced newspaper industry. With the GENERATION NEWS System, that is no longer the case, as Kodak provides one of the fastest newspaper CTP devices, with throughput of up to 300 plates per hour at 1,270 dpi.

Key features of both the KODAK GENERATION NEWS System and the KODAK TRENDSETTER NEWS Platesetter are the award-winning KODAK SQUARESPOT Imaging Technology. Thermal SQUARESPOT Technology eliminates the process variation found in visible light and UV systems, enabling high resolution AM screening especially the easy implantation and usage of Hybrid and FM screening with KODAK STACCATO Screening. This enables newspaper printers to offer unique services such as high-quality color advertising and print with detail and vibrancy.