"We used to send some of our work out such as binding and complex- or mini-folders but needed to keep as much work as possible in-house," said operations director Matthew Plant.

"Bringing the work in-house enables us to keep quality under control, keep costs down and improve lead times. We have reduced makeready times from 15 or 20 minutes to five minutes."

Plant said the kit, which replaced an older Stahlfolder Ti 52, cost around £100,000 but the savings would make it a cost neutral purchase. The new Stahlfolder would allow the 50-staff business to keep closed gate-folded leaflets, two-up work and folded 16-page sections for PUR binding, he explained.

His team looked at kit from three manufacturers and was won over by the Stahlfolder’s automation and ability to store programmes. Plant wanted operator "buy-in" so after checking out the options at Drupa took the finishing team to demos at the suppliers.

"They saw the advantages of the Stahlfolder especially improvements in efficiency," said Plant, whose cross-media business in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, has bumped up turnover more than a third to over £4m in two years through print, marketing and video.

"We are expanding, we are diversifying and we are trying to make print come alive again," said Plant. "But people who chase turnover are going about it the wrong way. It’s about sustaining what we have and always striving for perfection."