The machine was bought with a Palamides Alpha 700 delivery system, also from Friedheim.

Later this year, the Swindon-based company will also install a Stitchmaster ST450 and a Stahlfolder TH56 from Heidelberg.

According to managing director Anthony Thirlby, the machines will enable the company to take on a number of apprentices.

All of the machines are more automated than their predecessors and Thirlby believes the company will be able to go from a turnover of £185,000 a head to £200,000 a head.

Thirlby said: "We have brought one-touch technology into the bindery. It simplifies the skill set and takes the decision making away.

"We have six apprentices going through at the moment and it makes training them much easier. The automation advances them three or four years, within six months they can be fully competent on all of our machines."

The 60-staff company currently has a turnover of £11.7m.