The SM 102-5P, which features CP2000 touch-screen technology, will run triple shifts and the Alden Group plans to make additional investments in folding and gather-stitch-trim technology this year.

Prices are still tight and it is a global market. We need to be a large player in the academic books and journal market, which is why weve linked up with Heidelberg, said Alden Group managing director William Alden.

The new machine will run alongside other Heidelberg kit including four- and two- colour B1 perfectors and a B2 five-colour press.

Alden specialises in academic books and journals as well as technical and promotional literature. It employs 500 people over two sites in Oxford and Northampton. It also has an operation in Sourthern India and has a turnover of 13m.