The Lancashire-based finishing company invested in the Italian-made machine, which it bought in Germany for around £100,000, after being forced to turn work away because its machines were running at full capacity.

Managing director and owner Mike Berry said: "We chose the Petratto because it is a carbon copy of another machine we have had for four years that we are very happy with."

The £1m-turnover company, which was founded 13 years ago, specialises in producing cartons, pillow packs, CD cases and capacity folders as well as folding a range of formats including complex and miniature shapes and large-format print. It also offers shrink-wrapping, envelope folding, rambundling and die-cutting.

It now has four folder gluers and has upped its capacity by around 25%.

Berry added: "Five years ago we took the decision to move away from traditional finishing such as cut, fold and stitch because there was more and more competition and prices kept dropping. We decided to go for work that had higher margins and where there was less competition, such as die-cutting B1 sheets. Having four folder-gluers gives us a range of capabilities."