Allen King, the firm's managing director, said the new machine could cope with run lengths in the millions for end customers including Tesco.

D&K developed the modular Comet with input from Express Encapsulation after talks between the companies over the past few years, said King.

Express, which has 10 staff and sales of just over £1m, would also be looking to replace one or two of its older machines over the next year, he added.

Around a third of its 20-plus encapsulation machines are dedicated to long-run work at any one time. The firm, which was set up more than 25 years ago, only does encapsulation work and not laminating.

The Comet has been linked to a Format A2 feeder and a new D&K cutter to enable the company to maintain its 25m-per-minute speed.

It has a working width of up to 540mm and also features a built-in scrap trim rewind unit, plus an integral catch tray to collect guillotined centre waste.

"We chose the Comet not just because of its versatility but also because of our long history with D&K machines and films," said King. "We knew that we could rely on both the build quality and excellent after-sales service."

D&K has supplied 90% of Express Encapsulation's machines and also most of its films.