The Hindu has inaugurated a state-of-the-art printing press in Hyderabad. The edition is being printed from the new facility since March 3. The new facility has enabled faster and better quality printing and has facilitated the daily to increase the number of colour pages to eight from the present four, according to its Joint Managing Director, N. Murali.
He said, "With consistent increase in circulation over the last three years in Andhra Pradesh, the existing printing capacity was found to be inadequate. The new set up also helps us reach our readers faster."
On the increase in number of colour pages, the spokesperson said, "We differ from the view that it is necessary to give all pages in colour. Colour is one aspect. But there was a need to offer more colour pages and we will look at doing so in other editions also."
Two weeks ago, the publication's Hyderabad edition launched a new all colour tabloid pullout called 'Browse,' catering to the retailing businesses of the city on Fridays. The publication's office will continue to remain in its present premises at Begumpet, while the new printing facility is located on the outskirts of the city near the new cricket stadium at Uppal.
According to Murali, the publication will look to upgrade its Chennai facilities too, in due course. The Hindu had acquired land at Maraimalai Nagar on the outskirts of Chennai earlier, and he said that in the long-term, a shift might have to be considered. "The same would be applicable over a period of time for all our 12 printing centres. Newspapers are moving away from city centres internationally, and in India too, we will see this happening", he added.
The capacity of the newly-installed press is 75,000 copies an hour, according to a news report published in its editions on Saturday. It was also said that the new facility, which is called the Diamond Spirit (4X1 category) press, is manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan.
