CTD Capita is set to invest 3m in new equipment, including a 10-colour B1 Speedmaster press from Heidelberg at a cost of 2.14m.

A Muller Martini Acoro binding machine and a Shuttleworth MIS will follow the installation of the press at the companys Twickenham base in January 2002.

The firm is also spending 150,000 on upgrading office space to create new customer facilities, which will open next month.

Printing division group managing director Tony Manser said he was making the investment despite the current "conservative climate".

"Capita has a diverse client base with print needs which complement the CTD client base. We saw this as a tremendous opportunity and early indications are very good," he said, adding that the spend was one of the "benefits of being part of a 600m company".

The FTSE 100 listed Capita Group bought report and accounts printer CTD in April 2000, forming CTD Capita.

The company prints report and accounts for companies including BSkyB and Mappin & Webb and has a long running contract to produce the Pirelli calendar.

Story by Fay Schopen