The machines were installed at the company’s Peterborough headquarters, which produces a range of paperback and hardback titles, during the last month.

The machines form part of a £600,000 investment by the book printer that also includes an HP Indigo 5000 digital press and an upgrade in its PUR binding operations.

Andy Cork, managing director of Printondemand-worldwide, said the company had come a long way in a short space of time.

He said: "The award from Océ recognises our significant achievements in driving efficiencies and streamlining down to four processes from 16 in just 18 months.

"As an example of efficiencies, three years ago we had one account manager spending a week to achieve £30,000 worth of business. Nowadays we have one account manager spending 20 minutes a day to produce £90,000 worth of work."

The company's turnover now stands at £3.3m, and Cork expects this to increase to £4.8m by the spring of 2012. According to Cork, the company now employs 44 staff, double the number it employed in 2009.