The Swindon-based firm has spent around £200,000 on the new machines, which will be installed at the end of July and will replace three existing folders that will be sold on.

“Our folding kit was getting a little bit old and we just needed to improve things and invest in that side of the business,” said production manager Andy Gaulton.

“We looked at other machines including some from MBO, but I much preferred the Heidelberg range. I like the reliability of the machines, the knowledge and whole package including training, updates and support.”

The investment will increase the firm’s capacity, flexibility and productivity and reduce its outwork bill. It will also enable the company to offer new services to its customers.

“We’ll be able to offer spine gluing now, which we’ve had people asking us for. It will be good to offer something new to our customers. We will be able to bring other work, such as gatefolds, in-house for the first time,” said Gaulton.

The BH 82 is highly automated for quick changeovers. The pallet-fed machine will handle the company’s larger B1-format work.

The TH 56, a modular folder with high-level automation, which stores job settings for repeat work, comes with gatefold and spine glue options.

Heidelberg will train Acorn's operators offsite in Brentford and onsite during installation and implementation. “It will be different for us as it’s all automated so there’ll be a lot of training on the computer side,” said Gaulton.

The firm, which employs 45 staff, produces products including brochures, catalogues, folders, reports and posters for a range of customers in the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors.