The company, which works predominantly with high-end clients in the cosmetics and toiletries sectors, took delivery of the bespoke equipment at the end of last year and saw it officially commissioned last week.

Netherlands-based manufacturer MPS took six months to build the new 12-colour, UV flexo, high speed press which offers multi-layer printing and hot and cold foiling capabilities. It also incorporates a unique 'rail system', commissioned for AJS Labels, that provides greater configuration flexibility and reduces make-ready times.

Managing director Andrew Scrimgeour said the investment was a reflection of changing customer requirements.

"We deal with a lot of high-end clients and their specifications have evolved in the continuing battle on the high street. They want to create ever more impactful labels because they are now the key differentiator when customers are choosing products."

Scrimgeour said that until now the company, which in 2011 invested in a seven-colour HP Indigo WS6000 machine, had been  putting labels through their existing presses twice to meet colour requirements but that the new acquisition allowed them to do the most complex and demanding labels in just one pass.

The £7m-turnover company, which won PrintWeek's Label Printer of the Year award in 2011 and 2012, anticipates that once it is fully commissioned the new press will generate a further £1.5 to £2m annually.

Additionally as a result of the acquisition six new members of staff have already been recruited to cope with the expected increase in production.

Scrimgeour commented: "We had a big year of growth last year and we are planning to consolidate this coming year. We have grown through getting delivery and quality right and focusing on perfection. If we do that then we will continue to grow naturally."

AJS Labels has also invested in a new Cerm MIS and will focus on developing its pre-press department as part of a co-ordinated strategy, Scrimgeour added.