Abstract: An extended nip press apparatus is disclosed for pressing a web of paper. The apparatus includes a press which defines a concave surface. A backing roll cooperates with the concave surface for defining therebetween an extended nip pressing section. A looped bearing blanket slidably cooperates with the concave surface, the blanket being disposed between the press shoe and the backing roll for supporting guiding the web through the pressing section. An electromagnetic unit drivingly cooperates with the shoe, the arrangement being such that when the electromagnetic is energized, the shoe is electromagnetically urged near the backing roll for pressing the web. The electromagnetic includes plurality of electromagnetic units disposed in a cross-machine direction so that each unit when energized exerts a force on the shoe for urging the shoe towards the backing roll. A control arrangement controls the force exerted by each unit.