Eclipse Colour Print is investing 3m in its second 10-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster and a new purpose-built plant.


Kettering-based Eclipse is to relocate in June to a brand new 2,100m2 factory, a mile from its existing site.


The new Speedmaster will run alongside an existing 10-colour, installed last February, and will replace a six-colour B1 KBA machine and an eight-colour B2 Speedmaster 74, bought in July last year.


Managing director Simon Moore originally planned to buy a six-colour B1 machine but changed his strategy. "The current [10-colour] is our most successful press," he said. "We have achieved over 35m impressions since February last year."


The two 10-colour set-up will enable the firm to compete with the mini web market on price, speed and quality, said Moore. But the high-level of automation means it will also be able to handle shorter runs economically.


Eclipse has also invested in a new Muller Martini Prima S saddlestitcher and will replace its Optimus MIS with a new system from Tharstern.


According to Moore the set-up will put Eclipse on course for sales of 9m next year, double the amount it turned over when Moore and fellow directors David Birkbeck and Ben Ward joined in August 1997.


The trio previously worked for Northamptons Flair Press and bought Eclipse (then MPG Colour) from the Martins Printing Group in an MBO deal in June 1999.


Story by Lauretta Roberts