MTM managing director Ian Greenaway said he chose the machine, installed by Friedheim International in December, because of its modified pump that allows adjustment to the cutting pressure.

The guillotine, which costs around £45,000, counteracts the issues of glue on sticky-label sheets being removed or damaged - a problem the company has been experiencing with its existing 40-year-old Schneider machine.

A modified guard on the Wohlenberg also gives better access to the blade, enabling easier removal for cleaning, which needs to undertaken more regularly when cutting self-adhesive sheets to avoid glue compromising the blade.

Greenaway said: "We chose Baumann Wohlenberg because they had already come across these problems of too much pressure and access to the blade where users are cutting self-adhesive labels rather than paper."

"We can do anything on the new machine. It is absolutely spot on for any materials. It should last at least 20 years."

He added that, because of the Schneider’s age, the availavility of spares was scarce and the company needed to upgrade.

The Schneider guillotine will stay in place at the company’s Chesterfield plant in Gloucester as a back-up for low volume and smaller size work. It will also be used primarily for cutting PVC vinyl for banner work.

Greenaway said that the £2.5m-turnover company invests around £100,000 in equipment each year, and would focus on digital printing equipment, laser etching machines and vinyl plotters in 2013.