According to the German giant, more than 20 external companies, primarily from the energy and mechanical engineering sectors, have already commissioned projects.

The company said that contract manufacturing had exceeded its own planning, particularly in growth areas. It is now planning to increase sales generation at the arm to €100m (£84m) by 2014.

Heribert Wille, head of Heidelberg System Manufacturing, said: "When it comes to contract manufacturing, we are interested in building up long-term partnerships with our customers and are confident that we can increase sales in this sector considerably."

Heidelberg announced last year that, as well as continuing to produce presses and finishing equipment, it would be launching Heidelberg System Manufacturing, a contract manufacturing arm.

It produces a range of machine parts, predominantly castings, at its Amstatten facility. It has worked with construction machinery manufacturers and medical technology.