The Rotherham-based company responded to an upturn in demand for digital short-run colour work by buying a Horizon SPF/FC-200A booklet production line from finishing equipment distributor Graphic Arts Equipment (GAE).

Managing director Steven Swiffen said: "We are getting through three to four times more work than before and with less staff. Before we would have one person dedicated to setting up our old machine and he needed to use spanners.

"Each time this could take up to 45 minutes and he was the only person that could do it correctly. Now, with the high level of automation, set-ups take much less time. This means we can get more jobs finished in a day."

The JDF-ready machine runs at up to 4,500bph and features a 200-programme job memory, icon-based touchscreen and external waste removal system.

Hanley Swiffen's investment also included a 10-station VAC-Turbo PowerCollator and a long delivery conveyor.

The machine will feed off of a Heidelberg DI press.