The machine takes Duplo's stitching capabilities into a larger format, taking it into markets where it will compete with the likes of Horizon.

It is capable of producing 6,000 64-page books an hour, while the addition of gutter cut knives enables the user to produce 12,000 A5 books an hour.

It will be available from January next year for around €170,000 (£155,000). It is aimed at both litho and digital printers and it is capable of handling stocks from both formats.

According to Duplo, the machine was introduced because customers have been demanding thicker books and faster run lengths than the company's existing machinery can handle.

Peter Jolly, marketing manager at Duplo, said the only way the company could take the next step up in speed was to use a saddle.

The machine has been designed in the UK by Duplo's technical manager Nick Pike. However, Duplo has consulted with customers, as well as printer's customers throughout the process.

Jolly said: "This is easily the most important announcement Duplo has made. Every step we have asked the customer what would be useful. For instance the gutter cut was introduced because of a request.

"The machine is for those companies that have outgrown the System 5000, the larger guys that will be handling 250,000 books a month. There is no manual intervention in the machine and that makes it stand out."

The Alpha Saddle can be linked to Duplo's existing collators. It has a 60-second start up and is "green button ready" so it can be looked after by just one operator. It is also fitted with e-tandem capabilities, Duplo has designed the machine to be able to run A4 landscape.

Duplo is already looking at additional options such as hole-punching.

The company has also launched the DKT200 trimmer, which can be added to the System 5000 in order to make it a three-knife trimmer system.

The machine will cut out the need for guillotining when using the System 5000.

It can run at speeds of 4,500 books an hour, 9,000 with a gutter cut, and is available for around €33,000.