After the lease ran out on its Dunstable, Bedfordshire, facility, Encore bought its own site in Luton, which will feature a manufacturing factory, spare parts facility and showroom.

Managing director Mike Biggs said: "The past year has shown what the market can be like and overheads are everything. Now we own our own facility we can control our own destiny – this has given us long-term security."

Biggs said that Encore would have a packed stand at Ipex this May and will feature three UK firsts.

This includes a Jupiter double-sided laminator, an Autoset MB inserting machine and a Judd perfect binder that features PUR glue and specialises in hardcase book blocks.

Biggs added: "There is definitely more life around. A lot of companies haven't invested for two years and I believe they are hanging on for Ipex; it should be a good show."