The Harlow-based company has bought a secondhand Heidelberg flexi mailer, Robatech gluing system and GBC B1 thermal laminator from dealer ALB Machinery.

According to commercial manager David Payne, it will allow Blue Group to move away from hand finishing.

He said: "Mailing is becoming massive for us. A lot of our digital, litho, web and cardboard engineering work is being mailed and we have had a team of hand finishers handling most of it.

"This investment automates that side of the business and brings it in line with everything else. It will help us maintain our position as the most diverse print business in the UK."

Payne added that Blue Group was targeting a turnover of £12m for this financial year, which would be up from just under £9m in 2010.