The Portsmouth, Hampshire-based business, which is part of 3,900 strong international business support group Affinion, has revamped its in-house print operations, opening the door to large-scale print jobs from external organisations.

The group's print facility primarily handles the production of high-security documents for a range of banks and credit companies including personalised transactional, transpromo and direct mail collateral.

However, Affinion is now offering its comprehensive print capabilities to financial service businesses, utilities and local authorities that require high-quality direct mail campaigns.

At the heart of its new on-site print facility is an Océ ColorStream 3500, which can print at speeds up to 1,040 A4 pages per minute in full-colour.

Featuring the manufacturer's DigiDot drop-on-demand technology, the inkjet printer is linked to a bespoke finishing system from Italian manufacturer CMC.

Developed specifically to work with the company's ColorStream, the CMC system can collate, staple and stitch as well as insert documents into envelopes.

Affinion's facility also comprises a Hunkeler unwinder and slitter, Domino inkjet system for small-scale personalisation and an Impika inkjet inline.

According to Greg Howford, head of Affinion International Print Services, dynamic digital prin afforded by its new operation is "quick, efficient and extremely cost-effective".

He added: "This investment is another big step forward for us. Virtually all printing is now done in-house and around 85% of everything we produce goes through the Océ ColorStream 3500.

"The investment saves us money in the long run because we no longer have to outsource a £1m a year printing to external suppliers. Another majoy benefit is that we no longer have to stockpile printed materials, much of which went obsolete."