SRM VALLIAMMAI ENGINEERING COLLEGE FORMAT -E
(An Autonomous Institution)
SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur-603203.
IV: SRMVEC/DMS/IV REPORT /ODD 2026-27/12
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES
Report on Industrial Visit
Date(s) of Event : 21.10.2026
Title of the Event : Industrial Visit to The New Indian Express Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Beneficiaries : I Year MBA – Sec 3 Students
Objective
Outcome
: The main objective of the industrial visit to The New Indian Express was to gain practical exposure to the working of a leading English-language daily newspaper, from news gathering and editing to printing and distribution. The visit helped students understand the process of news collection, editorial desk functions, page layout, plate making, printing, bundling and dispatching of newspapers.
It also aimed to provide knowledge about advertising and circulation, deadline-driven operations, quality control, safety practices and digital transformation in the media industry. The visit further allowed students to interact with media professionals and understand the practical application of operations management, marketing management and supply chain management concepts.
: The industrial visit to The New Indian Express provided practical exposure to newspaper publishing operations. Students understood the flow of work from the newsroom to the press, the role of advertising and circulation, and how strict deadlines shape every stage of production.
The visit helped enhance our knowledge of real-time media operations and enabled us to connect theoretical concepts of Operations Management, Marketing Management and Supply Chain Management with practical applications in the newspaper industry.
No of Participants : 44 Students
Convener : Dr.Venkata Sai Srinivasa Rao Muramalla
Coordinators : Mr.K.N.Haridharan
Mrs. R.Parhana Dr. S. Yuvasree
Encl:
1. Report of the Event
Signature of Coordinator Head of the Department Principal
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SRM VALLIAMMAI ENGINEERING COLLEGE (AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION)
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES REPORT ON INDUSTRIAL VISIT TO
The New Indian Express
INTRODUCTION
On 21st October 2026, the Department of Management Studies, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur, organized an industrial visit to The New Indian Express, Chennai. The visit was arranged to provide MBA students with practical insights into the operations of a reputed English-language newspaper. It aimed to familiarize students with the various stages of newspaper publishing, including editorial activities, printing and production, marketing, and distribution. A total of 44 students took part in the visit, accompanied by Mr. K. N. Haridharan, Mrs. R. Parhana, and Dr. S. Yuvasree.
ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION
We arrived at The New Indian Express premises along with our faculty members as part of the industrial visit organised by our college. After reaching the premises, we were welcomed by the company representatives. The students were guided through the necessary entry procedures and safety instructions before beginning the visit. An orientation session was conducted to introduce us to the company and its operations. During the session, the representatives explained the history of The New Indian Express, its major publications, the role of newspapers in informing the public and the way the newsroom and the printing unit work together. The officials also explained the importance of maintaining discipline and following safety guidelines inside the premises. Students were instructed to remain with their groups, follow the directions of the staff, avoid disturbing employees working to tight deadlines and avoid entering restricted areas. The orientation helped us understand the basic functioning of the company and prepared us for observing the operations.
Safety Instructions Given During Orientation
· Follow the instructions of company officials.
· Wear the required personal protective equipment, such as ear protection near the press.
· Maintain a safe distance from running printing machinery and conveyors.
· Do not touch machinery, printing plates or electrical equipment.
· Do not disturb staff working on deadline in the newsroom.
· Stay with the assigned group and avoid restricted areas.
· Follow safety and emergency procedures.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
The New Indian Express is an English-language daily newspaper published by Express Publications (Madurai) Limited, a company headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is the southern arm of the Indian Express legacy built by Ramnath Goenka.
The newspaper traces its roots to 1932, when The Indian Express was started in Madras (Chennai). After the Indian Express Group was divided following Goenka’s demise, the southern editions were grouped under Express Publications (Madurai) Limited, which is led by Manoj Kumar Sonthalia, a grandson of Ramnath Goenka. The southern editions were renamed The New Indian Express in the late 1990s.
Along with the English daily, the group publishes Dinamani in Tamil and the magazines Cinema Express and Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika, and runs the digital platform Edex Live. The Chennai edition also carries a lifestyle supplement called Indulge, launched in October 2007.
The newspaper is published from multiple cities across southern India and Odisha, including editions in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Its revenue comes mainly from advertising, newspaper sales and subscriptions.
Products and Services
The major products and offerings of the group include:
1. The New Indian Express – English daily newspaper (print and digital).
2. Sunday Express – weekly edition with magazine-style features.
3. Dinamani – Tamil daily newspaper.
4. Cinema Express and Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika – magazines.
5. Digital platforms such as newindianexpress.com and Edex Live.
6. Advertising solutions in print and digital media.
ABOUT THE UNIT VISITED
The industrial visit to The New Indian Express, Chennai, provided students with valuable insights into the functioning of a newspaper organization. The visit helped us understand the various stages involved in newspaper publishing, including news collection, editing, page designing, printing, advertising, and distribution.
The newspaper industry requires effective coordination among different departments to ensure the accuracy, quality, and timely publication of news. The visit also highlighted the importance of technology, teamwork, and time management in daily newspaper operations. Overall, the experience helped students gain practical knowledge of newspaper management and
understand how theoretical concepts related to production, marketing, and distribution are applied in a real-world business environment.
CORE OPERATIONS
The core operations of a newspaper organisation like The New Indian Express can be explained through the following activities.
· News Gathering and Editorial Desk
Reporters, correspondents and news agencies supply stories, photographs and information. Editors verify facts, correct language, write headlines and decide which stories get priority. Every step is governed by fixed deadlines.
· Page Layout and Pre-press
Designers arrange text, photographs, graphics and advertisements on each page using desktop publishing software. Proofs are checked to ensure the pages are accurate and ready for printing.
· Plate Making
Finished page files are transferred onto printing plates. Modern newspaper presses commonly use computer-to-plate systems, which save time and improve accuracy.
· Printing
The plates are mounted on high-speed web offset printing machines, which print on large reels of newsprint. Different editions are printed for different cities and regions.
· Post-press and Bundling
Printed copies are counted, folded, bundled and packed. Supplements and inserts are added, and bundles are labelled according to routes and agents.
· Distribution and Circulation
Bundles are dispatched by vehicles to agents, vendors and delivery persons so that readers receive the newspaper early in the morning. This requires close coordination between production, logistics and circulation teams.
· Advertising and Revenue Management
Advertising is a major source of revenue for a newspaper. Display and classified advertisements are booked, scheduled and placed on pages in coordination with the editorial and production teams.
· Digital Operations
The news is also published on the website, e-paper and social media platforms, which extends the reach of the newspaper beyond the printed copy.
QUALITY AND EDITORIAL STANDARDS
Quality is important in newspaper publishing in two ways. Editorial quality means accurate, fair and well-written news, while print quality means clear text, sharp photographs and correct colours. Because newspapers are read by thousands of people every day, errors affect the credibility of the publication.
During the industrial visit, we understood the importance of verification, proofreading and process monitoring in maintaining the quality of the newspaper.
Quality Control Activities
Quality control in newspaper publishing generally includes:
1. Verifying facts and sources before publication.
2. Copy editing and proofreading of news stories.
3. Checking headlines, captions and photographs for accuracy.
4. Checking page proofs for layout and advertisement placement.
5. Monitoring colour registration and ink density during printing.
6. Checking print quality and counting printed copies.
7. Maintaining records of editions printed and dispatched.
The specific quality procedures followed at the unit should be confirmed with the company’s editorial and production departments.
Key Facts about the Company
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Publisher |
Express Publications (Madurai) Limited |
|
Flagship publication |
The New Indian Express (English daily) |
|
Headquarters |
Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
|
Origin |
1932, as The Indian Express in Madras |
|
Other group publications |
Dinamani (Tamil), Cinema Express, Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika, Edex Live |
|
Promoter |
Manoj Kumar Sonthalia |
The company is a long-established media organisation with a history that goes back to 1932 and a presence in several southern states.
PLANT FEATURES AND OBSERVATIONS
During the industrial visit, we observed several important features of the newspaper organisation.
· Newsroom Environment
The newsroom is a fast-paced environment where reporters, sub-editors and designers work together under constant time pressure.
· Editorial and Design Desks
Editors and page designers prepare the final pages from the stories, photographs and advertisements received.
· Printing Press Hall
The press hall contains large high-speed printing machines that run on reels of newsprint and produce a very large number of copies in a short time.
· Plate-making Section
This section prepares the printing plates for each page and edition before they are mounted on the press.
· Newsprint Storage
Newsprint reels are stored carefully and moved to the press as required. Proper storage prevents damage and avoids production delays.
· Bundling and Dispatch Area
This area supports the final stage of production, where copies are counted, bundled and loaded onto vehicles for distribution.
· Safety Practices
Safety instructions were explained during the orientation. The visit helped us understand the importance of personal safety, restricted areas and safe movement near running machinery.
· Departmental Coordination
The operations require close coordination between editorial, advertising, production, circulation, logistics and administration.
· Technology and Process Control
Modern newspaper operations rely on digital workflows, computer-to-plate systems and monitoring tools to improve speed and consistency.
· Environmental Management
Newspaper printing uses large quantities of paper, ink and plates, so waste handling and recycling of waste paper and used plates are important for environmental responsibility.
NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION PROCESS OVERVIEW
The process below describes the general flow of producing a daily newspaper, from collecting news to delivering printed copies to readers.
General Newspaper Production Process Step 1 – News Collection
Reporters, correspondents, photographers and news agencies collect news and send it to the editorial desk.
Step 2 – Editing and Fact-Checking
Editors check the facts, correct the language, write headlines and select stories for each page.
Step 3 – Page Design and Layout
Designers arrange stories, photographs and graphics on pages using design software.
Step 4 – Advertisement Placement
Advertisements are placed on the pages as per bookings, and the space for news is adjusted accordingly.
Step 5 – Proofing and Approval
Page proofs are checked and approved by the editors before the pages are released to the press before the deadline.
Step 6 – Plate Making
The approved pages are transferred onto printing plates for each edition.
Step 7 – Printing
The plates are mounted on the printing machines and copies are printed on newsprint at high speed.
Step 8 – Bundling and Packing
Printed copies are counted, bundled and labelled with supplements and inserts as required.
Step 9 – Dispatch and Distribution
Bundles are sent by vehicles to agents and vendors so that the newspaper reaches readers early in the morning.
INTERACTIVE SESSION
1. What are the major operations carried out in a newspaper organisation?
The major operations include news gathering, editing, page design, advertisement management, plate making, printing, bundling, distribution and digital publishing. The editorial and production teams work together to bring out the newspaper every day.
2. How does the newspaper manage tight deadlines?
Every department works to fixed cut-off times. Page release times are set for each edition, and the press and dispatch teams are scheduled around them. Close coordination helps ensure that the copies reach the vehicles on time.
3. How is the quality of news and printing ensured?
Editorial quality is maintained through fact-checking, editing and proofreading. Print quality is maintained by checking plates, colour registration, ink density and the finished copies during the print run.
4. What are the main sources of revenue?
A newspaper earns revenue mainly through advertising, along with newspaper sales and subscriptions. Digital platforms are also adding to the revenue.
5. What is the main raw material and where does it come from?
Newsprint is the main raw material. It is generally bought in large reels from paper mills, both domestic and imported.
6. How is the newspaper adapting to digital media?
The newspaper publishes its content on its website, e-paper and social media platforms so that readers can access news on mobile phones and computers as well as in print.
OBSERVATIONS DURING THE VISIT
The major observations made during the industrial visit were:
1. A newspaper is a time-sensitive product, and every department works to fixed deadlines.
2. The newsroom and the printing unit must work in close coordination.
3. Editing and fact-checking are essential to maintain credibility.
4. Advertising is an important source of revenue for the newspaper.
5. Newsprint is the main raw material and needs proper planning and storage.
6. Printing requires high-speed machinery and careful monitoring of quality.
7. Bundling and dispatch decide whether copies reach readers on time.
8. Safety procedures must be followed near running machinery.
9. Maintenance of printing machines is necessary to avoid breakdowns during print runs.
10. Coordination between editorial, advertising, production and circulation is essential.
11. Technology supports faster, more accurate and more flexible operations.
12. Digital platforms are changing the way newspapers reach readers.
The visit helped us understand that the success of a media organisation depends on the effective coordination of people, information, machinery, technology and management systems.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The industrial visit provided us with valuable practical learning as MBA students.
Practical Knowledge of Newspaper Publishing
We gained a basic understanding of how news is collected, edited, printed and delivered to readers.
Understanding of Operations Management
The visit helped us understand how production activities are planned, scheduled and monitored in a deadline-driven organisation.
Understanding of Marketing and Advertising
We learned how advertising and circulation support the revenue of a newspaper.
Understanding of Supply Chain Management
We gained knowledge about the movement of newsprint from storage to press, and of printed copies from bundling to dispatch and distribution.
Importance of Quality and Accuracy
We learned that accuracy of content and print quality are essential for maintaining the credibility of a newspaper.
Importance of Safety
The visit helped us understand the importance of following safety rules in an environment with heavy machinery.
Role of Technology and Digital Media
We understood how technology and digital platforms support modern newspaper operations.
Departmental Coordination
The visit demonstrated the importance of coordination between editorial, advertising, production, circulation and logistics.
Application of MBA Concepts
The visit helped us connect classroom concepts with practical activities in a media organisation. The subjects that were connected with the visit include:
· Operations Management.
· Marketing Management.
· Human Resource Management.
· Financial Management.
· Supply Chain Management.
· Strategic Management.
Professional Awareness
The visit improved our awareness of the working environment, responsibilities and skills required in the media and publishing industry.
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CONCLUSION
The industrial visit to The New Indian Express, Chennai, was an informative and enriching experience that enhanced our understanding of newspaper publishing and organizational management. The visit provided practical insights into production processes, marketing strategies, departmental coordination, and distribution activities. It also helped us understand the importance of teamwork, time management, and effective communication in achieving organizational objectives. As MBA students, we were able to relate theoretical management concepts to real-world business practices. Overall, the visit broadened our knowledge of the media industry and strengthened our understanding of the practical application of management principles.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Department of Management Studies expresses sincere gratitude to the Management, Director, Principal, Vice Principal, and Head of the Department,
Dr. Venkata Sai Srinivasa Rao Muramalla, for their continuous support. Special thanks to the Industrial Visit Coordinators, Mrs. R. Parhana, Mr. K. N. Haridharan, Dr. S. Yuvasree and The New Indian Express for their cooperation and hospitality in organizing this insightful and educational visit, which greatly benefited the participating MBA students.
Industrial Visit Coordinator Head of the Department
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