The system was installed in APS’ commercial print centre in Cheadle, Lancashire, in mid-June. The Palamides range starts from £80,000 and was supplied by Friedheim International.

Finishing manager Shaun Dodson said: “We wanted to increase the capacity on our folder machines as we do runs from 500 to 5,000,000. The Palamides is a very good machine, due to it being able to do anything from one-up to three-up.

“Some customers require a band around their work, which it can do, and the quality of the machine is very robust, with us being able to put it on our folders and also our stitching line as well.”

APS currently has four Heidelberg folders, all Stahlfolder TH 82s, the most recent one being installed in Christmas 2015. It previously housed eight, but streamlined down to four over a period of two years, and relocated operators to other parts of the business. It currently has three BPIF-scheme apprentices in its finishing department.

Dodson said he believes the purchase will have a positive impact on production. 

“It means we will have more output and can bring more customers on board.

“When you look at our old productivity levels, we are doubling productivity from five or six years ago. Since we changed the old kit to the new kit, the productivity has shot up, you can see the change in that it is now running faster with better makereadies.”

APS runs two 10-colour KBA Rapida 106 presses and a wide range of finishing equipment, including three Polar guillotines, a Heidelberg stitching line and die-cutting equipment.

It employs around 200 people in its Cheadle office, with a second factory in Scotland and satellite offices across the country.

APS Group has 25 global sites, employing more than 700 people. Last month, it came second in the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200, ranking British-based businesses for international sales growth.