The project, headed up by Ian Smith, general manager at CPI, involves a significant capital investment programme. Kit purchased includes the UK’s first Royal Format Zero Makeready press, from Timson, which will join a 24-station Corona Binding line from Muller Martini, the purchase of which was announced at Drupa this year.

An Esko PDF pre-press workflow with imposition software has also recently been installed.

The Royal Format press, for the production of royal-format monochrome books, is set for installation in Spring 2009. The 64pp press is capable of production speeds far greater than that of CPI Mackays’ current equipment and has the ability to change signatures on the run.

Capacity will increase by up to 500,000 books a week as a result of the new investments.

Smith said: CPI Mackays is investing in the latest technology to re-equip the business for the future. We are determined to offer the best possible service available for our publishing customers in the UK.

As well as the significant investment in equipment, the business has made organisational and process improvements to smooth operations and increase manufacturing efficiencies. The new equipment will help to drive this further. The workforce and the management team are very excited about the future.

The CPI Group produce more than 500m books a year and has manufacturing sites in France, UK, Germany, Netherlands and The Czech Republic. Mackays is one of six manufacturing sites in the UK and has a workforce of 300.