The six-colour, 350mm-wide press cost in excess of £300,000 and is due to be installed in March.

It will handle increased demand that has emerged since the first FL3 was installed in November, an investment that introduced Kingfisher to new markets including food, cosmetics and healthcare and secured a number of new clients.

Sales director Andy Watts said: “We did look around the market before taking on the first FL3, but once you see those things in operation, you know that they are the best.

“Our previous experience with Edale and our operators’ expertise with their machines meant we were always going down this path. Since taking on our first Alpha presses from them, it has been a natural progression to their bigger and better products.

“We can now produce a greater range of labels with complex designs and a high number of colours. It impressed us, too, with its automation, which includes an inline inspection unit and automatic register. We can also reduce our ink and materials usage to meet our customers’ environmental concerns – and our customers’ needs are paramount.”

With a mechanical speed ranging from 5-200m/min, the Edale FL3 comes with a turn bar system, delam/relam capabilities and chill rolls.

The new FL3 represents a continuous investment programme at Kingfisher that will continue through the year. According to Watts, another Edale investment is likely on the horizon, possibly introducing a third FL3 to its portfolio.

Production director Karl Jackson said: “Edale has been our supplier now for many years. Their continued investment in design and automation has meant as we grow Edale has the correct solution for us as a business and so we do not need to look elsewhere.”

With a turnover of £1.5m, Kingfisher enjoyed a circa-20% boost in sales over the past 12 months, which Watts hopes to replicate in 2019. It employs 17 members of staff on 930sqm premises in Yate, North Bristol.