The South Yorkshire-based stationery printer and marketing firm installed the iGen4, which replaced an older machine, in November 2013 with full production beginning last month. It will use the investment to develop its activities in the web-to-print, hybrid mail and transactional mailing markets.
“It will add to our current capabilities, allowing us to offer a wider mix of marketing print, along with merchandise and digital capabilities, which we have acknowledged as a requirement from our growing customer base,” said managing director Judith Fox.
She added: “The iGen4's considerably improved image quality, increased productivity and its larger print area has also significantly enhanced our offering, allowing for jobs that weren’t previously possible.”
Fox declined to give further details on the value of the investment.
Paragon UK bought Horner Brothers out of administration on 19 August last year and completed the £255,000 deal at the end of October. The 90-staff, £7.8m business was completely absorbed into the Paragon Group, which employs around 1,300 people across Europe and has a turnover of around €160m (£134m).
Fox said: “We have now completed an initial period of integrating into the group. The strength that we now have as a member of the Paragon Group means that we are focusing on our growth and the future of the business.”
Moving forward, Fox said the company would reveal further “positive news” as its new strategy was implemented in the coming months.