BMG prints CoopZeitung, CoopZeitung prints BMG
If the Basler Mediengruppe (BMG) wants to retain the lucrative printing contract for Switzerland's largest weekly title CoopZeitung
If the Basler Mediengruppe (BMG) wants to retain the lucrative printing contract for Switzerland's largest weekly newspaper CoopZeitung, it will have to invest around 100 million francs in its existing newspaper press in Basel by the end of 2003. The reason: CoopZeitung wants to run in full color from 2004 at the latest. Its printing contract with BMG expires at the end of 2003. This was confirmed on request by both Karl J. Vögeli, Head of Coop Press, and BMG CEO Beat Meyer, who said that only 50 percent of the CoopZeitung is currently four-color. "That's why we have to turn down a lot of Coop's own and third-party advertisements, which is frustrating over time," says Vögeli, explaining Coop's expectations. In addition, the editorial section is currently too small with just seven four-color pages. Another thing that annoys him is that the Migros Brückenbauer newspaper is in four colors throughout.
Coop has the same problem as with the CoopZeitung (1500,000 copies) with Cooperazione (11,000,000 copies) and Coopération (400,000), its counterparts in Ticino and French-speaking Switzerland. While Cooperazione is also printed by BMG, Coopération has a contract with Edipresse. There, the continuous four-color printing will be completed in a year and a half.
BMG, on the other hand, is reportedly struggling with the investment decision. Is there a lack of money? Is that why the sale of Weltwoche and Druckerei Winterthur is being considered? BMG would have two problem children less and therefore enough liquid funds to invest in Coop. "I can't support this thesis," says Meyer. The fact that BMG needs money to finance the newspaper rotation is "not true". Meyer also tries to dispel doubts about the sale of Weltwoche. There is "no direct link" between any sales of the Winterthur printing plant and Weltwoche, he says. According to BMG's own strategy, the money saved in Winterthur could ultimately also be invested in Weltwoche. (mk)
Coop has the same problem as with the CoopZeitung (1500,000 copies) with Cooperazione (11,000,000 copies) and Coopération (400,000), its counterparts in Ticino and French-speaking Switzerland. While Cooperazione is also printed by BMG, Coopération has a contract with Edipresse. There, the continuous four-color printing will be completed in a year and a half.
BMG, on the other hand, is reportedly struggling with the investment decision. Is there a lack of money? Is that why the sale of Weltwoche and Druckerei Winterthur is being considered? BMG would have two problem children less and therefore enough liquid funds to invest in Coop. "I can't support this thesis," says Meyer. The fact that BMG needs money to finance the newspaper rotation is "not true". Meyer also tries to dispel doubts about the sale of Weltwoche. There is "no direct link" between any sales of the Winterthur printing plant and Weltwoche, he says. According to BMG's own strategy, the money saved in Winterthur could ultimately also be invested in Weltwoche. (mk)
