Maidstone-based ESP's new cutter, the Zünd 3XL-3000CV, measures 3.2m x 6m and marks its first departure move from hand-finishing into computerised cutting.

Stephen Hood, managing director of ESP Technologies Group, said: "Size isn't everything but, because one of our specialities lies in producing superwide-format displays and banners, we needed a cutting solution which could handle large jobs as well as the smaller more intricate applications."

The Zünd cutter is designed to do through and kiss-cuts as well as engraving and routing operations. It can handle roll-fed and rigid materials, and substrates including banners, vinyls, textiles, foamboard products and acrylics.

Zünd installed a frequency converter on the cutter to enable electricity consumption from the 12.5kW vacuum pump to be reduced to the minimum needed when cutting narrower substrates. Zünd said it was the first time this modification has been made.

Hood said: "Our investment in digital equipment has always been based on getting the best solution to allow us to give our customer base high quality end products which, often, go beyond conventional displays.

"ESP thrives on challenges and our reputation for 'thinking out of the box' means we can often produce a job which others might not perceive as being possible."

ESP staff were trained on-site by Zünd's operatives.