The move is designed to make the Upton factory self-sufficient in its binding requirements and to remove the need for it to transport sections to nearby Southern Binders.

However, in order to accommodate the new equipment, Southernprint plans to decommission a 16pp Komori and a Roland 700 and switch production from these machines to sister companies Wyndeham Impact and Wyndeham Grange.

According to the company, this has put "a number of roles at risk" and staff at both Southernprint and Southern Binders are currently being consulted with regards to the proposals.

It is not yet known how many staff will be affected, although Southernprint said that a number of vacancies would be created through the proposals and that "if all vacancies are taken up, total job losses across the two businesses should be limited to 16".

Southernprint operations director Paul Toms said: "Having looked at Southernprint's overall manufacturing costs, we believe that this is the best course of action. The additional binding equipment will give Southernprint's Upton site the binding firepower that it needs to meet customer requirements, as well as significantly reducing transport costs.

"Southernprint will retain its core business and, where appropriate, covers will be produced using the Wyndeham Group's specialist cover facilities, offering greater choice and flexibility for customers."

The company stressed that there were no plans to close Southern Binders' Ferndown site.