The new press, installed to meet demand for additional work, will increase capacity at the firm by 50%, joining a three-year old XL 105 and two older CD 102 machines, all of which are the same six-unit double coater and extended delivery configuration.

"We’ve been undergoing an almost non-stop investment cycle over the past three years," said lithographic print manager Conor Connolly.

"The Speedmaster XL 105 we installed three years ago has been hugely successful and has become the backbone of the company. We expect that and more for the XL106."

He added that the XL105 produced as much as the two CDs combined.

The new XL 106 has directly created six new jobs at the 220-staff firm.

To ensure colour quality it was specified with Image Control closed-loop colour control, which is already used by the existing presses.

Connolly described the firm as the caretaker of its food packaging clients’ brands, which include McDonalds, Kellogg's and United Biscuits according to the firm’s website. He said Image Control was a critical component in enabling consistency throughout the 300,000 plus run lengths and across frequent repeat jobs.

The firm has added Heidelberg’s Printroom Manager software to integrate the litho machines with its EFI Radius MIS, which is also being upgraded.

Sun Chemical has upgraded the onsite ink kitchen, including new software, an ink dispenser and fitted ink pumping systems for the XL 105 and 106.

In addition to the press the firm has added a pair of Bobst Expertcut die-cutters and a Bobst Masterfold gluer to strengthen its post-press department.

In addition to offset production the Belfast factory houses a Bobst eight-unit flexo press with inline rotary die cutter, also used for carton work. The Belfast site produces work for the UK and European market.

Delta also has a factory in China and a joint venture in India Stora Enso Inpac Delta.