An order for two 4x1 presses for a new Hokkaido Shimbun print centre is one of several for TKS' Color Top series.

The two Ecowide II presses will go into the new Sapporo plant of Doshin Sogo Printing, to which Hokkaido Shimbun Press is relocating printing, replacing

three 4x2 presses from another vendor. Criteria included stronf evironmental performance, saving energy and resources.

TKS has previously installed presses for the publisher's Hakodate (2010) and Kusiro plants (2007).

The 4x1 Ecowide II will feature high-speed digital ink pumps, enabling a top speed of 80,000 cph. Each press consists of three towers and two mono units, with a folder and five reelstands, capable of 40 pages with 24 pages in colour. Additional features include 'new air-conditioning', T-NPC production control and the full automatic web leading. The press is scheduled to be in full operation in March, 2019.

In March, Asahi Shimbun Company subsidiary Asahi Printech ordered five Color Top Ecowide II presses for their Kawasaki plant - at the publisher's original location - each of two towers and two mono units. Construction is in five phases between February 2017 and March 2019, with the first press due to come into operation in late June 2017.

Another order is from San-in Chuo Shimpo Newspaper Co, this time for a Color Top 7100CD, which will join two existing Color Top 6000s at the site (pictured), one of which is also to be updated.

A viewing hall for visitors opened last November, with exhibitions, videos and workshops showing the newspapers' role in today's society. Visitors will also be able to see the 7100CD running at 90,000 copies per hour during a factory tour.

Commissioning is scheduled for May 2017, the paper's 135th anniversary.