The 10-colour, which will be delivered in August, and the 12-colour press, due to be installed next spring, will replace two Speedmaster SM 74 long perfectors.

The new presses can handle boards up to 0.8mm thick, and offer increased rolling power and reduce makeready times.

The firm, which counts print management companies such as Access Plus and Communisis among its clients, aims to increase capacity by 25% and sales from 3.25m to 4m. It aims to boost net profits by 40-50% by implementing a JDF workflow.

HCP managing director Paul Hogan said: "We are replacing the SM74s a five-year-old eight-colour and a three-year-old 10-colour with CD technology because it will enable us to handle new products and offer something additional to our clients.

"This investment is all about efficiency because it is that which will keep us competitive and at the front in our market, which is servicing print management companies and large plcs."

The Prinance MIS is scheduled to be installed over the summer and will run alongside the firm's existing Tharstern MIS for 12 months.

Story by Eloise Seddon