A 35-year-old Goss Colorliner at Canadian daily the Winnipeg Free Press is to get a new lease of life with an upgrade of its eight RTP reelstands.

DCOS Automation is to upgrade the 1991 press line, working with US partner ImPressions Worldwide.

Founded in 1872, Winnipeg Free Press is one of Canada’s oldest and most respected daily newspapers serving readers across Manitoba and beyond. To support the future of its print production operations, the project will include a complete retrofit of the drive and control systems, delivering a modern platform designed to enhance reliability, maintainability and long-term operational performance.

Scope of the project has been expanded with a retrofit of its Baldwin web break detection system. On-site work is scheduled to begin at the end of August.

Director of production Dave Jackson said the modernisation of reelstand control and drive systems was an important step in securing reliable production for the future. “DCOS brought the experience, expertise and project approach we were looking for, and we are excited to work together on this upgrade.”

The project is the fourth newspaper press drive retrofit completed by DCOS in North America, after Las Vegas (Nevada), Riverside and Concord (both in California).

ImPressions Worldwide’s Tom Loesch said his company looked forward to continuing this important project and supporting the Winnipeg Free Press for many years to come: “A big thank you to the DCOS team for another outstanding partnership that helps keep high-quality print production strong across North America!”

The 1991 Colorliner is installed with two Ferag TTR conveyors installed in 2014, each with compensating stackers and rated at up to 75,000 cph.