"Paper is very attractive for the advertising industry"

The expensive machine, which not only improves print quality but also saves electricity, water and ink, opens up options in printing for third parties thanks to new, efficient technology, says Wüstmann. Despite overcapacities in the Swiss printing market, the closure of a site and a reduction in capacity, the company was willing to pay the price for independence. For example, having its own print shop means that product and product changes can be planned without having to give the competition an insight in advance. In addition, flexibility in the timing of printing is increased.

Despite the investment focus on electronic and digital media, Wüstmann considers it important to maintain the newspaper and print business. The company continues to earn good money with this business and wants to maintain this added value. The AZ Medien CEO believes that the printed newspaper will continue to be published for longer than publishers currently expect. "When it comes to new technologies such as the Internet, people initially believe that the future is coming very slowly, then they are startled and believe that the future is coming extremely quickly." We are currently in the second phase.

Wüstmann praises the special properties of paper. These are currently being pushed into the background. Paper is attractive for the advertising industry - flyers, inserts and customer magazines are constantly on the increase. Regional news also works very well on paper, and another advantage is the reduction in the flood of information and the ability to "hold on" to the minute-by-minute stream of digital information. However, Wüstmann admits: "It is not a growth market, though." Newspaper publishers must continue to adapt and at the same time find new, innovative ways to reach readers. (hae/SaS)

Image: Keystone