Due to arrive this month, the two new Primera MC machines complete a run of fresh investments that began with a double-buy of Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75 presses (one 10-colour, one eight-colour) and the subsequent arrival of a seven-colour HP Indigo 12000 digital press.

The new arrivals are intended to aid the increased efficiency, productivity and agility of Bishops, which had an output of 287.9 million printed sheets, 63.5 million stitched books, 5.4 million perfect-bound books and 10.8 million direct mail items last year.

Managing director Gareth Roberts said: “Committing to an annual investment programme has never been easy for us to do, but I believe strongly in keeping the business relevant and responsive to market changes, and we can’t do that by standing still.

“We may be built for speed, but we’re also built for agility, which means we’re as happy producing lots of small orders for local businesses and independent publishers as we are for well-known titles and brands.”

Portsmouth-based Bishops focuses on a client base of smaller local businesses and short runs, with its average order value being £700 and its largest client contributing 5% to total revenue.

Named Heidelberg’s number one B2 sheetfed print operation in Europe on capacity, the company has run for almost 35 years serving the south of England. Turning over £26m with 270 members of stuff, the company runs three stitching lines, two perfect binders, 15 folders and a host of die-cutters alongside a hand-finishing team.

With the installation of its fifteenth Stahlfolder, a TH 82, in early 2018, Bishops made its move to a 24/7 operation pattern and now only shuts two days per year.