The Midlands-based company's managing director Richard Wells said the guillotine would be able to keep up with its front-end machines.

He said: "As we experienced an increase in the volume of orders, our decision to buy was based upon a product that would keep up with the digital and litho print production process. The investment also means we can meet client commitments with more confidence."

The machine features touchscreen technology with three levels of programming available, depending on the user's demands and budget. The latest version of the CCM has larger side air tables to make paper handling easier for the operator. It also has an auto-knife function for repeat cutting.

Hickling and Squires has been in business for more than 50 years and currently uses both litho and digital presses. It has Heidelberg six- eight- and 10-colour machines, as well as a Kodak Nexpress and a Roland XC-540 for wide format printing.