The deal is claimed to make Gronhi, which is represented in the UK by Leeds-based Printers Superstore, the biggest producer of offset presses in the Chinese market.

According to the manufacturer, Gronhi now holds a 70% market share of new B3 press sales in China and has had recent installations in the US, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands.

Sanxin debuted its first European machine, the two-colour YK522 press, at Ipex in 2006.

Gronhi, which will manufacture presses under both Sanxin and Gronhi brands, already produces more than 400 B3 machines a year.

As a result of increasing demand, Gronhi is set to open a new 385,000sqm factory later this year as part of a £100m investment.

Graham Moorby, machinery sales director at Printers Superstore, said the deal would help propel Gronhi "right to the top of the global league of press manufacturers".

He added: "New models are already in production which will further expand the range in terms of both format and technology in order to meet a more diverse range of market niches."

Gronhi, which was founded in 1974, became part of the Hans group of companies in 2006, joining sister firms that were producing CTP and laser-cutting equipment.

European press manufacturers have reacted warily to the investment. Heidelberg UK's managing director George Clarke called it "a very brave move, especially at the moment".

He said: "That said, you can never dismiss Chinese manufacturers but there needs to be a step up and we can only see the market migrating upwards in terms of sheet size and sophistication." 

Bob Usher, joint-managing director of Apex Digital Graphics, added: "It's a difficult time to come to market, especially with a newer brand.

"I imagine the attractive price point will result in some sales but people tend to have preferences to certain manufacturers and allegiances with them."

However, Moorby argued: "It's not about where the machines are made, or what they're called, it's about the quality of the product, and the bottom line is profitability."

Following on from a move into new premises last year, Printers Superstore is looking to employ a new UK and Ireland sales director to help grow the company's recently expanded product range.

In a recent printweek.com poll on the appeal of Chinese print products in Europe, 41% said they thought the quality was now good enough to be considered alongside the encumbent manufacturers and 24% thought that the cheaper prices would prove hard to resist. Around 34% said the secondhand market was strong enough to make the need for Chinese presses redundant, while 27% thought that the after sales service and reputation of European manufacturers would stand them in good stead.