The machine, which replaced a KM 470 and small hand-fed binder, was installed so the company could handle short-run digital work.

However, according to Henry Ling managing director Helen Kennett, it is equally capable of taking on both long- and short-
run jobs.

She said: "All our books go through this machine now and we handle runs lengths from 200-15,000.

"With faster makereadies and more automation, we are now more productive. It is about making sure you are still profitable and we can put our digital work on the machine economically."

Henry Ling’s Kolbus KM 600 runs at 7,000 copies per hour and was supplied with a Kolbus Gatherer and Kolbus HD 143p trimmer.

The machine was installed over two weekends, which allowed Henry Ling to continue producing work at its usual rate.
Kennett added: "Tre­mendous efforts were made by ourselves and the Kolbus team to pull this off and we have been running almost continuously since installation."

The investment, which the company said approached the seven-figure mark in terms of value, continues Henry Ling’s strategy of continual upgrading. In the last financial year, the company also installed a five-colour HP machine.

Kennett said: "Whatever year it is, Henry Ling will be investing. It is a tough environment at the moment, but we are financially stable and confident going forward."

Henry Lings has a turnover of £5.6m and employs 120 staff.