Industry Insight

CHUCK BLEVINS & ASSOCIATES POSITIONS CLIENTS TO MEET
THE DEMANDS FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM

October 11, 1999, Vienna, VA - Customers' demands on newspapers are increasing, putting more pressure on the bottom line. This creates the need for a strategic plan to meet color and section demands, to consistently improve quality, and fulfill earlier delivery deadlines.

Addressing these needs, Chuck Blevins & Associates is currently assisting many newspapers in developing strategic operational and distribution plans, that meet the demands of the customer of Y2K and beyond. The following clients are embracing the need to strengthen their operation and determine new methods to produce their product.

Pioneer Newspapers, Inc. in Seattle, WA is working with CBAssociates to develop an operations feasibility study for a joint production facility for two of its Newspapers. The scope of services include the development of a product plan and determining the equipment and process necessary for a combined printing facility for the Idaho State Journal in Pocatello, Idaho and The Herald Journal in Logan, Utah. Initial services included the analysis of each newspaper needs for the prepress, press, packaging and the distribution area. The project includes equipment definition, production programming, staffing analysis and print schedules.

Los Angeles Times and CBAssociates are working together to develop a strategic plan to determine their long range equipment and process needs. The study analyzed various options for increased flexibility and growth opportunities. The project scope involves creating a unified product, and process plan focusing on the press and packaging facilities of all the LA Times printing sites.

CBAssociates assisted the Austin American-Statesman in reviewing and updating a previously prepared strategic plan. The project included product analysis and the development of various press configurations to meet their goals.

A CBAssociates strategic planning study creates a clear and solid foundation from which equipment, process and, if necessary, a building project can be based on. Projects begin with a strategic product and operational plan that looks at all product areas, such as circulation, pages, color, and inserts.

This serves as a basis for equipment definition, equipment and operations layout, equipment coordination, design review, project management, and implementation and acceptance services. A strategic plan insures the clients will have a solid foundation on which to make decisions to insure the near and long-term needs of the newspaper, and that they have flexibility to meet the challenges of the future.

For information on Chuck Blevins & Associates and its services, please contact Janelle Piccola at 303-431-5909 or e-mail us at janellepiccola@aol.com.

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