The machine, which will be installed at the Aberdeen-based firm’s premises on 22 July, will replace a 60-year-old Perfecta guillotine that the company bought second-hand 30 years ago.

DENA looked at alternatives from several manufacturers before making its decision. The company considered a £10,000 1983 Polar guillotine but decided on a newer model due to its speed and low power consumption.

“Although the new model was almost three times the cost, we could see its advantages and that it would last us the next 30 years,” said managing director Martin Nelson.

The firm went to see the guillotine in action at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University, which sealed the deal.

“Our old guillotine is very mechanical and makes a lot of noise. This is much more modern and should be a lot quicker and quieter,” said screen printer Robert Nelson.

The Polar 78 ECO, which uses a hydraulically driven back plate and gauge, has a cutting width of 780mm, a maximum loading height of 120mm and knife speed of 45 cycles per minute.

It also features Polar OptiKnife for fast knife changing and positioning accuracy of 1/100mm and has a 198 programme memory.

DENA, which has four staff, will use the guillotine to cut self-adhesive vinyls and thin plastics for label work.

The firm produces PoS, posters, labels, stickers, tags and banners for predominantly Aberdeen-based oil industry businesses.