Two new highly-automated newspaper presses capable of producing 24-page editions at 380,000 cph, have passed handover tests at Korea Economic Daily publisher Hankyung Media Group.

During test runs at a formal ceremony on Monday, group president Kim Jung-Ho was impressed by the print quality, production speed and advanced automation of the manroland Goss Colorman e:line presses.

A new printing plant in Incheon, west of South Korea’s capital of Seoul, sets a new standard for innovation and efficiency, and delivers unmatched speed and colour capacity.

Hankyung Media has built a state-of-the-art printing facility on a 11,500 m² plot at its new production site in the Bupyeong National Industrial Complex in Incheon, with the Two Colorman e:line presses as its centrepiece. Each is equipped with six printing units, reel splicers, and folding units, as well as a comprehensive automation package.

Flexible configuration options allow production of up to 380,000 cph with 24 pages, or 190,000 cph with 48 pages in colour, a feature unique within the South Korean media industry.

The highly automated Colorman e:line presses combine outstanding print quality with maximum efficiency and enable cost-effective production for both large print runs and smaller contract print jobs. A comprehensive automation package helps reduce unit costs, while productivity is significantly increased.

The investment reflects the group’s longterm strategic focus on innovation, competitiveness, and futureproof newspaper production – a step underscored by the presence of the top management, who officially inaugurated the test operation of the new printing press as part of the celebrations for the 129th anniversary of the Korean Newspaper Day.

Executive director Chul-Soo Kim said the successful test runs confirmed that they have taken the right path with the new installation: “With the two Colorman e:line systems, we are setting a new standard and strengthening our position as South Korea’s leading contract printing company.”

manroland Goss chief executive Franz Kriechbaum said the installation marked a new era for newspaper production in the country. “With cutting-edge automation, exceptional print quality, and maximum efficiency, this project not only strengthens Hankyung Media Group’s leadership position, but also highlights the enduring potential of print media in the digital age.”

The group will now proceed to full-scale production and expansion of contract printing capacities at the new site.

The Korea Economic Daily – founded in 1964 – is the country’s largest economic newspaper by circulation. In addition to print media, Hankyung Media operates an extensive digital network with more than 13 million users across 56 platforms.

Pictured (top): Automated Aurosys paper logistics at the new production site; (above) the Colorman e:line at Incheon, and (below) in test runs