The Cambridge-based firm, which was formed at Drupa 2000, was the only print related firm in the list. The ranking was based on the firms' annual sales increases. Inca's figures for 2003 showed a rise of 255% to 11.3m.

Inca managing director Bill Baxter said that the firm's growth had continued this year, with record sales in August and September driven by the success of its Columbia Turbo.

"The Turbo is keeping us really busy," said Baxter. "People want bigger, faster and much lower cost of ownership."

Four Turbos have been sold, two went to beta site Image Serigraphics, part of ImagedataGroup (PrintWeek, 23 September). "The people who had the beta liked it so much they bought a second one," said Baxter.

The FastJet corrugated carton press developed by Inca with Sun Chemical will enter alpha testing next year before being launched in 2006 (PrintWeek, 5 February).

Baxter said he hoped the press would be "the mainstay of the business in five years' time".

Story by Barney Cox