The 40in press is capable of producing 18,000 sheets per hour and is equipped with six print units and a coating unit capable of adding UV or water-based finishes.

Mark Kerridge, managing director of the £93m-turnover packaging manufacturer, said the expansion of the group's North East facilities was an essential part of its growth plan.

"The past 12 months have been very difficult for many sectors," he said. "However, the food and pharmaceutical markets have been quite strong and there has been continued consolidation in the UK carton market.

"While financing is clearly more of an issue to secure, we believe that now is an opportune time for us to invest on the back of organic growth in our business."

He said the group was continuing to secure additional clients and that the Komori press would be used to help cope with an additional cartons contract that it expects to win in the near future.

In addition to the investment, Benson Group's six existing North-East-based Komori presses are being upgraded with Komori's K-Station – the Komori Management System and Print Density Control spectrophotometer.

According to Kerridge, the company is "always continuing to look at investments to support its organic growth".

"We are also looking at acquiring additional companies, although nothing is happening at the moment," he added.