The Southampton-based printer decided to opt for the Speedmaster less than two years after buying a five-colour Komori Lithrone to boost its colour printing capacity.

Graham Bromley, operations director at 190-staff Hobbs, said the company had looked "long and hard" before choosing the Heidelberg machine.

"We've seen growth in the business and wanted a more productive two-colour press that was quicker to make ready," he said.

The £10.5m-turnover company is using the new Speedmaster to print a range of jobs, including two-colour books, catalogues and annual reports.

Bromley said: "Customers are delighted to see a continued level of investment in the business as a whole."

Earlier this month, the company added a Horizon BQ470 PUR perfect binder to its finishing kit set-up.