Total revenues for the period were down 11.4% year-on-year with total advertising revenues down 15.1%, however a slowing in the year-on-year rate of revenue declines was reported for each of the first three months of 2013. The group said that it remained on track to reduce costs by more than £20m this year following a major restructuring of the business in 2012. A key priority for the company this year will be to continue to focus on net debt reduction, which has been helped by the £10m receipt gained from the cancellation of its remaining print contract with News International. Capital expenditure and working capital would remain tightly controlled, the company said. Further details will be released in the company’s interim statement later this year. As part of a restructuring of its business, Johnston Press relaunched the majority of its titles last year, with the remainder scheduled to be relaunched this June and new websites being rolled out across each brand. Digital audience figures in April showed a 16.4% year-on-year increase, while printed circulation revenue declined by 0.8% on a like-for-like basis, actually marking an increase on 2012 figures. The company said that provided trading did not deteriorate further, it predicted 2013 results to be in line with current market expectations. Commenting on the interim statement Johnston Press chief executive Ashley Highfield said: “While the economic environment continued to be challenging, the implementation of our strategy progressed further with the successful completion of the relaunch of the vast majority of our titles, together with the further development of our digital business and the roll-out of new hardware and software to all sales staff and journalists. “With our reduced cost base and our continued focus on debt reduction, we remain on track to deliver a strong performance in 2013.”...

The system, being exhibited for the first time at this week’s North Print & Pack exhibition in Harrogate, replaces ageing FoldNak and Watkiss equipment at the Bournemouth-based print business. Managing director Peter Moritzen said: “Our existing bookletmaking and collating equipment was getting less efficient and suffering from lack of speed. We needed to invest to keep the business moving forward. “The System 2000S appealed because of its compact footprint its productivity and its versatility – we are able to collate separately from the complete bookletmaking process when needed.” The new System 2000S has a range of performance variations from Morgana’s existing DocuMaster products. Output capabilities include 3,000 booklets an hour and the ability to create publications of up to 120 pages. Standard measurements are 1,520mm x 680mm. Products can incorporate side-stitching, creasing, and a number of combinations of sheet and pre-printed sheets collation. Prices depend on configuration of the modular system. Booklet products of eight, 12, 16 and 32 pages have already been produced on the kit, with runs extending as far as 15,000. Moritzen said typical orders were fewer than 5,000 copies, but he said he was reassured by its larger capacity. Morgana sales manager Ray Hillhouse said: “This system has a wide range of capabilities for digital print producers. Visitors to North Print & Pack will be impressed by the performance and range of applications it can support.” Three-staff Premier Print & Design runs a Presstek DI machine and pre- and post-press equipment, specialising in waterless printing. The team produces greetings cards, posters and banners as well as booklets to make a turnover of around £500,000....

The Profit Zone’s series of free talks and seminars are targeted at specific areas within the industry and are intended to address trends, threats and opportunities. This year, the seminar programme includes a session dedicated to the field of packaging to reflect the show’s extended focus. The sessions will include ‘Master Classes’ that will address critical issues and offer practical steps to grow sales and increase revenue. Trendspotting in Print will present data and statistics that highlight printing hardware and software trends while Profit Leaders at Work will feature case studies from successful businesses. Finally Business Growth in the Trenches will focus on providing tips for growing business in tough economic conditions. The three areas of focus are: web-to-print (14 May), cross-media (15 May) and packaging (16 May). Nick Devine, co-organiser of the Profit Zone and founder of The Print Coach, said: “Each session has been specifically designed to provide print service providers with the practical ideas, insights and strategies to continue driving...

The Profit Zone’s series of free talks and seminars are targeted at specific areas within the industry and are intended to address trends, threats and opportunities. This year, the seminar programme includes a session dedicated to the field of packaging to reflect the show’s extended focus. The sessions will include ‘Master Classes’ that will address critical issues and offer practical steps to grow sales and increase revenue. Trendspotting in Print will present data and statistics that highlight printing hardware and software trends while Profit Leaders at Work will feature case studies from successful businesses. Finally Business Growth in the Trenches will focus on providing tips for growing business in tough economic conditions. The three areas of focus are: web-to-print (14 May), cross-media (15 May) and packaging (16 May). Nick Devine, co-organiser of the Profit Zone and founder of The Print Coach, said: “Each session has been specifically designed to provide print service providers with the practical ideas, insights and strategies to continue driving...

Chief executive Stephen Gilbert explained that the charity was seeking to raise awareness of the work it does across the whole country, but that Yorkshire was a key locality because of the size of the print industry in the region. He said: “Once upon a time, the charity had a network of auxiliaries across the whole country and the organisation in Yorkshire used to be very strong. We’d like to get back to that level of engagement and support. “This event will provide an ideal networking opportunity for us to showcase the charity as part of our drive to substantially increase the number of people we help year-on-year.” The Printing Charity will be exhibiting on stand C120. North Print & Pack runs from 14 to 16 May and is being held at the Harrogate International...