"It's really exciting as it fits in perfectly with everything else we sell," said Encore managing director Mike Biggs.

The move follows it picking up the UK agency for the range of machines from Purlux, a Shanghai, China-based manufacturer.

Purlux is already fairly well known in Europe according to Biggs: "There are a couple of machines here [in the UK] already, they've also got machines in Germany, Spain, Italy and quite a few in France."

The firm's range of saddlestitchers starts from around 70,000. Encore will be focusing its attention on the two most recently launched stichers, the 10,000cph Nova 10 and 12,000cph Nova 12 (pictured).

"We'll be in Heidelberg ST and Muller Martini markets with these machines, and obviously they'll be very price competitive," said Biggs.

The entry level machine is the LQD8E line, which can have a maximum of eight feeders, plus cover.

The firm will also be handling the Purlux range of Planet multi-clamp perfect binding lines. "They're aimed at the mid to high range market in terms of volume, and they look very good," said Biggs.

The firm is in the process of sending its engineers for full product training in the next few weeks.

Story by Darryl Danielli