The five-colour machine replaces two existing Lithrone 28 presses at the Brighton company, which was bought by its current directors, Richard Golds and Matt Cooper, in 2007.

According to Golds, the company's latest press has cut turnaround times from an hour to 10 minutes, with hourly output now running between 14,000 and 16,000 sheets per hour.

"This makes its output more than twice as productive as the combined output of the five-colour Lithrone 28 and four-colour Lithrone 28 perfector it's replaced."

Litho Direct handles work for a range of clients including the NHS, RSPCA and various universities and estate agents. It also has an in-house design department and specialises in the production of promotional print items such as carrier bags.

Golds added: "A substantial additional benefit to Litho Direct is that now we have just the one B2 press, our floor space requirements have been reduced so substantially that we've been able to release the adjoining factory unit.

"Our paper handling logistics have also improved - which is especially important for us, as many of our jobs require multiple finishing operations."

In addition to the Lithrone press, the company has installed Komori's PDC-Sll spectrodensitometer and a Komori K-Station, which allows for full CIP4 networking between its Tharstern MIS and the press.

"The productivity and speed of the new Lithrone S529 is making us more productive all round and so competitive that we are winning work which we would not have even been considered for previously," added Golds.