The Portsmouth-based B2 commercial printer will move to a new 1.5m 3,000m2 building on the outskirts of the city, almost twice the size of its current premises, this December.

The 120-staff company will simultaneously take delivery of a 10-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 74 perfector and two Agfa Palladio platesetters.

Managing director Gareth Roberts said: "Theres a real buzz about the place at the moment we feel very positive. We have struggled with a lack of capacity this year, which has been a bit frustrating."

The companys other presses include a five-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 74, a four-colour 74 and a five-colour 72.

Roberts said the company had considered moving up to B1 but opted to remain in the B2 arena because of the amount of orders it was winning in the sector.

Accounts won by Bishops Printers in the last 18 months include Fulham Football Club, Lloyds TSB, Stagecoach and Butlins.

Bishops Printers climbed 213 places to be ranked at number 286 in last years PrintWeek Top 500, with sales of 7.5m and a pre-tax profit of 400,000.

The new machinery will be installed directly at the new site during November, and will be fully operational before existing kit is moved in to "smooth the experience" for customers.

"Undoubtedly the move will be an upheaval," added Roberts, "but we have gone to great lengths to ensure that our customers will only notice benefits in our service and efficiencies during and after the move."

Story by John Davies