Finishing Solutions Liverpool spent £150,000 on the machine that will run alongside two Moll gluing machines, a B1 Autobond laminator, die-cutting, embossing and stitching kit.

The ProFold 74 handles heavy paper, cardboard and plastics at speeds of 150m per minute using suction-belt or flat-stack feeder.

Owner Phil Keating said: “Trade finishing is highly competitive, so I have been looking to diversify into other niche areas.

“More specialist types of folding and gluing is one such area, and after research I discovered the machine most capable of providing the greatest benefits was the ProFold 74.”

Keating, of Bootle on Merseyside, said he was swung by the design and engineering of the machine, as well as its manufacture in Germany. Friedheim International supplied the kit.

“The new machine will make up capacity folders and wallets, it is very very versatile. The other gluers do a good job but are basic – the Kama is a beautiful piece of kit,” he said.

 “Friedheim is a long-established and well respected company, which has an excellent reputation for its after-sales support – a comfort when purchasing any new equipment.”

He added: “We want to move into more specialist areas and away from the more bog-standard work.

“It's hard to sell in Manchester as there are five to 10 other people doing die-cutting. But you can count on one hand the number of companies that offer capacity gluing services.” 

Finishing Solutions Liverpool makes £800,000 turnover and its 20 staff serve local printers.