An increasing focus on commercial work has led an Omani newspaper printer and publisher to upgrade its press installation.

Omani Establishment for Press, Printing, Publishing and Distribution has contracted QI Press Controls to install a 12-camera colour registration system on its Goss Magnum single-width press.

The mRC-3D system is to be installed on the six-tower press in the Omani capital of Muscat (pictured), an investment prompted by a desire to focus efforts increasingly on commercial products, alongside its newspaper printing activities.

The 12 cameras - responsible for full automation of the colour register - will be equipped with QI's automatic lens cleaning system.

Manager at Omani Establishments M.C. Venugopal says the press was recently upgraded to six heatset webs: "We were compelled to make the investment so that we could meet the needs of our clients as well as retain our position as market leader in the region.

"A reliable register control system was the next big thing on our shopping list."

The plant produces Oman's largest Arabic-language daily, Al Watan, and the country's leading English-language newspaper, Oman Tribune. With problems with its register quality overcome, the business expects to have more satisfied customers and win more commercial contracts.

"Newspaper circulation is diminishing worldwide," says M.C. Venugopal. "The only way to survive is to minimise waste and maximise quality. We've put our faith in the mRC-3D achieving these objectives."

Omani Establishments anticipates that it will be able to reduce its waste by as much as 40 per cent with the mRC-3D. "The fact that colour register is a lot quicker, as well as retaining quality during production means we can now achieve these goals."

The new installation will include a 'service button' feature which accesses remote service at any time of the day.