The post-press spend by the Tewkesbury-based business comes on-the-back of a £2m investment in a 10-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 102-10-P perfector, earlier this year.

The KH 78, which will cater for the increased output from its latest press, replaces a KH 66 machine and will enable the Gloucestershire business to take pallets direct from press to the folder.

According to Adrian Williams, co-owner of Orchard Press, the company handles print runs up to 200,000 so speed was key when making the latest investment.

"For us the automation was less important than the mechanical speed. We looked at MBO but the Heidelberg service in the UK is so convincing we wouldn’t think of buying another machine now," he added.

Its recent B1 Heidelberg perfector spend has not only attracted new business but helped improve the efficiency of existing jobs such as catalogues, manual and leaflet work.

The SM 102-10-P arrived specified with Prinect Inpress Control and a new Wash Cloth System which reduces chemical usage by up to 90%.

"We are operating the new press on a double day shift allowing us to keep up with turnaround demand," said Williams.

He added: "We will take delivery of our new folder by August and we know this will only enhance throughput and make our turnround times even keener."