Two SV500 log stackers and automatic palletisers will work alongside the 20m plant's flagship press, a 48pp MAN Roland Lithoman IV, which is due to be operational by January 2006.

An RS134 rotary trimmer and a KL compensating stacker complete the order for the kit, which will be delivered in December, a month after the planned installation of the press.

Garnett Dickinson group commercial director Nick Alexander said: "We simply felt that the Gammerler kit was the best for what we were looking to do. We studied far and wide but Gammerler seemed to share our ethos."

Geoff Gramlick, divisional director, said that a spine gluing feature on the rotary trimmer would allow the firm to give customers "greater flexibility and extend our offering".
He added that the kit's automation had been a major factor in the choice of Gammerler.

Construction of the 11,000m sq plant in Rotherham's Enterprise Zone is "slightly ahead of schedule", according to Alexander. He said a decision had yet to be made on whether either of the company's existing presses a 32pp Baker Perkins G16 and a 16pp Heidelberg M600 A-24 would move to the new factory.

Negotiations are under way over further expansion in the pre-press and finishing departments, although Alexander did not give any details on the talks.

Following the order, Gammerler is looking to expand its team by recruiting a salesperson for the Southern region, according to the firm's spokesman.

It has also signed an exclusive deal to sell ink pumping and supply systems from American firm Lincoln Industrial.

Story by Josh Brooks