The buy, which was first mooted at Drupa, replaces an eight-page Komori and is described by the firm as the perfect addition to its B1 eight- and 10-colour perfectors.

The 50,000cph five-unit web press, one of the first of the Drupa models in the UK, was specified with inline spine-gluing and a rotary trimming facility. The configuration allows jobs to be packed and dispatched without going through the bindery.

"Jobs that used to take 18 hours to produce are now being completed in just four, leaving our stitching and other finishing equipment to be utilised for other work," said Ancient House joint managing director Allison Berry (pictured with joint managing director Michael Underdown).

The 625mm cut-off System 38S, which can handle 55-200gsm stock, was installed with an automatic twin ribbon folder unit. According to Berry the folder keeps makereadies and wastage to a minimum and "the folding options we can produce are endless, from four- to 64-page".

Ipswich-based Ancient House, which employs 128 staff, was founded over 160 years ago.

Story by Darryl Danielli