Supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems, the Horizon was installed almost eight weeks ago at the same time as a new Konica Minolta C7000, which marked the firm's first move into digital printing.

The Horizon BQ-160 has a maximum book size of 300x350mm up to 40mm thick with a production speed of up to 180 cycles/hr.

“We were previously outsourcing the binding and we didn’t push it because it wasn’t really winning us the jobs. But now it's in-house we can put in some really competitive prices and we’re winning a hell of a lot more work,” said managing director Kristian Darwin.

“And with the addition of digital print kit we are now set up for short runs and test proofs. We are working a lot faster than we’ve been able to do previously; it’s really opened us up to different areas,” he added.

The four-staff, family-run business, which was established in 1980, prints documents such as company reports, promotional literature and corporate stationery.

The new binder and Konica device join the £350,000-turnover firm’s Heidleberg presses, including an SRA3 GTO 46 and a Speedmaster SM 52, as well as a range of finishing equipment.

“Once we’ve bedded in with the new equipment, we will look at how we can expand those areas,” Darwin said.