Houston Home Journal press welcomes insert machine to fleet

PERRY — Did you know The Houston Home Journal has an in-house printing press? 

An updated piece of equipment is setting the shop up for continued success amid growing print demands. The press room has recently acquired an insert machine.

The machine, a Mueller Martini 227, is a much-needed upgrade from the former 1970s-era inserter. Valued at about $35,000, it has eight available slots for inserts, the flyers inside the newspaper from stores and businesses.

The press room began operating the new machine on Nov. 12.

The insert machine provides a more efficient way to insert flyers. HHJ Publisher Don Moncrief said on average, inserting two or three flyers previously took nearly an hour and a half for the press’s largest publication, The Albany Herald. With the new machine, production has been shortened to 30 minutes.

“This equipment will complement our press in providing the highest quality product our customers and readers across the state could receive,” he said.

The National Trust for Local News, the HHJ’s parent company, bought the insert machine and had it delivered from Nebraska. Moncrief said the former inserter was too difficult to maintain.

“Our old machine was so outdated we couldn’t get parts for it or have maintenance done to it,” Moncrief said.

The Houston Home Journal currently prints 23 publications in its press shop, and with print shops closing down, demand is growing for the Perry press.

“We have also been approached by a number of other newspapers who have requested we print their newspapers. This will allow us to take on and print those newspapers,” Moncrief said.

He said the purchase reflects the Trust’s commitment to supporting local journalism.

“Being a part of the Georgia Trust for Local News, which is, along with the Colorado Trust for Local News and the Maine Trust for Local News, a part of the big picture — the National Trust for Local News — this demonstrates their commitment to not only sustainability for local newspapers, but also growth,” he said.

More upgrades are budgeted for the press room. In the meantime, Moncrief said the people working the press, and the newspaper as a whole, are the bread and butter of the HHJ’s success.

“Equipment is one thing, but it’s [our employees] who are actually our reason for success — not just from a press room standpoint, but also our news and our advertising and our layout and administrative folks. They are truly remarkable to see in action,” he said.

Moncrief said the press is open to tours.

“If any school classrooms or church groups, or whoever, want to tour our facility, please give me a call,” he said.

For more information, contact the Houston Home Journal at (478) 987-1823.