The Kettering-based company has bought two Stahlfolders – a TH82 and a KH82 – plus two Polar 115XT Flowlines with Autotrim waste removal from Heidelberg and a Palamides system from Friedheim that will run alongside one of the folders.

According to managing director Simon Moore, the investment follows the installation of two new stitching lines in recent years.

He said: "Essentially, we have entirely re-equipped our post-press department in a few years."

The two folders replace three ageing machines and, according to Moore, they are already proving to be worth the investment.

He said: "One of the machines has already gone in and it has doubled the production speed. We now have four folders rather than five, but capacity has increased. It has completely justified our decision to make the investment.

"It means the speed of turnaround is increased and we don't need to put anywhere near as much work out as before. It means outsourcing costs are down and we have more control over our turnaround speed."

Eclipse is replacing a 10-year-old Polar 115XT and a 137 PACE guillotine. Less than 10% of Eclipse work uses a full B1 sheet size, so the company opted for a 115cm width. 

Moore added that internal workflow through the factory can be changed to improve increased volume. The company has also taken the opportunity to bring the two machines side-by-side, as previously the guillotines were at either end of the factory.

Although the finishing department is now up to speed, Moore does not feel the need to add anything on the press facility. He said: "I don't want to be going after big bits of metal just yet."

Eclipse has a turnover of £16.3m and currently employs 105 people.