Mittelland Zeitungsdruck AG invests in further press technology from Koenig & Bauer

Another Commander CT for modern print centre in Aarau

Within the framework of plans to consolidate its strong position on the Swiss newspaper and magazine market, Mittelland Zeitungsdruck AG, a company of the CH Media group, has decided to invest in a further Commander CT from Koenig & Bauer. The new press is set to come on stream in spring 2020.


Roland Kühne, director of operations and technology at CH Media: “Our customers place very high quality demands on their products, and our current Commander CT has enabled us to meet these demands at all times. When the increasing capacity utilisation made expansion of our modern print centre in Aarau imperative, it was for us a logical step to invest in another Commander CT from Koenig & Bauer.” Peter Wanner, publisher and chairman of the CH Media board of directors: “As far as we are concerned, the various media products – print, online and mobile – all belong together. Parallel to the strengthening of our digital offerings, the new press also serves to reinforce our print business.” The first Commander CT from Koenig & Bauer went into production in 2014.

One of the leading media companies in Switzerland

Mittelland Zeitungsdruck AG is a company of the CH Media group, which publishes a broad range of newspaper titles including the dailies az Aargauer Zeitung, St. Galler Tagblatt and Luzerner Zeitung and the weekly Schweiz am Wochenende. CH Media is dedicated to multimedia networking with its regional online news portals, e-papers, and iPad and mobile phone applications. Various high-circulation weekly and twice-weekly newspapers, as well as trade and special-interest magazines, round of the product and service portfolio. CH Media was formed as a joint venture of the AZ and NZZ media groups, and commenced its independent operations on 1st October 2018. AZ Medien has integrated all its previous business units with the exception of Watson, while NZZ has transferred its entire regional media business to the new company. CH Media reaches around two million people in the Germany-speaking regions of Switzerland. With turnover amounting to approx. CHF 480 million ($490m) and over 2,000 employees, CH Media is one of the country’s largest media companies.

Automation, flexible production and high quality

The new Commander CT comprises three four-high towers for 4/4 production, together with a KF5 jaw folder and three Pastomat reelstands with Patras M reel logistics. The printing towers feature both fully automatic plate changing systems and automatic roller locks, and ensure ergonomic operation with lifts on both sides. The towers can also be split down the middle to provide optimum access for maintenance work. A comprehensive package of automation modules, such as CleanTronic cylinder washing systems, colour and cut-off register controls, and a colour measuring and control system, simplify handling and reduce makeready, production waste and maintenance requirements to a minimum. The Commander CT is controlled via an ErgoTronic console with EasyTronic for optimised press start-up and automated run-down.

Henning Düber

Background photo: The new Commander CT for Mittelland Zeitungsdruck AG