The Duplo 350C was installed on 5 August at the company's Bristol base, Gemini West, to boost capacity and automation in finishing. The installation is intended to free up staff hours and reduce wastage.

Gemini Print Group consists of five printing operations in four locations: Gemini Digital and Gemini Print in Shoreham, Gemini Brighton, Gemini West and Gemini London.

The booklet system cost around £40,000 and joins existing kit including a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75, a Kodak NexPress 2500, folders and guillotines.

The new machine marries the DSC-10/20 collator with the DBM-350 bookletmaker and trimmer to create a cost-effective mid-range bookletting system with a compact suction collator, according to Duplo.

Group managing director Steve Cropper said: "Within a year we hope to double digital workloads and consolidate litho work. We have gone from a standstill in January to sales of £25,000 a month.”

“Bristol is a very self-contained set-up with excellent people. We were impressed by live demos of the Duplo at Drupa and this is part of a £2m investment over the past five years.”

That investment included the NexPress 2500, as well as a Muller Martini stitching line and Heidelberg printing and folding systems.

Cropper said the Duplo 350C booklet system would play “a key role in expanding our digital offering”.

Duplo UK managing director Peter Jolly said: “The bookletmaker will free up time and improve wastage levels. It’s an example of companies driving forward with smarter, faster and better ways of working.”

Two years ago Gemini West completed a 12-month investment programme with the installation of a five-colour plus coater Heidelberg Speedmaster SX 74. The company employs more than 160 people across its sites.