Westfalen-Blatt, first published in 1848, is one of the largest regional newspapers in Westphalia, boasting 27 local editions and a total circulation of around 120,000 copies in Eastern Westphalia (Ostwestfalen). Three other daily newspaper titles belong to the newspaper group, which has its headquarters in Bielefeld and whose oldest local edition has come out in Warburg since 1839: Westfälisches Volksblatt, Herforder Kreisblatt and Lübbecker Kreiszeitung. In addition, the publishing company also brings out several advertisement magazines.

From right: Günter Billmeier (Project Manager Westfalen-Blatt/external consultant), Thilo Grickschat (Managing Director Westfalen-Blatt GmbH), Volker Leonhardt (Managing Director Muller Martini Germany) and Matthias Kandt (Sales Representative Muller Martini Germany) at the signing of the contract for the two ProLiner inserting systems.

“We are convinced that the print newspaper is and will remain an invaluable cultural asset and the primary local information medium even in the age of the Internet,” says Managing Director Michael Best, explaining the newspaper group’s decision to invest in an entirely new, greenfield production facility in Bielefeld-Sennestadt. Construction got underway at the beginning of August, and newspaper production is scheduled to begin next fall. The traditional publishing company decided again on a solution from Muller Martini for the print finishing of newspapers that will be printed, for the first time in four colors throughout, using a KBA Commander CL with two double-width 32-page printing presses featuring four splicers, four print towers and two folding units.

While the company has used two NewLiner inserting systems until now, at the new facility two identical lines with FlexiRoll buffers, ProLiner inserting systems each featuring twelve insert feeders plus automatic preprinted section loading and NewsStack compensating stackers will be used. Westfalen-Blatt opted again for a mailroom solution from Muller Martini not only because of its positive experiences with the predecessor models over many years, but also because of the convincing buffer system offered by Muller Martini.