The device, which was supplied with a multi-cut module, was installed in early August and was brought in to ease a bottleneck on the firm's CAD table and semi-automatic die-cutter.

The machine can produce more than 100 different box styles, as well as partitions, trays and corrugated plastics, at a rate of up to 1,200 boxes per hour.

It is also capable of automatically changing box styles and sizes, and, when well maintained, uses a quarter of the energy of a traditional box-maker, according to Kolbus.

McGowans owner Mal McGowan said: “The Kolbus AutoBox enables us to turn a specialised print job from design to print, conversion, assembly and packed in record time.

“The thing we liked most about the AutoBox was its ability to set within 60 seconds from one job to the next.

“We ran a batch of 700 ‘0411’ style boxes within an hour and had the printed product out that afternoon.”

The business also values the AutoBox for its reduced environmental impact. Its ability to cut boxes to a precise size helps, McGowan said, “to eliminate the shipping of air as well as reducing our costs/usage on plastic, protective packaging”.

McGowans is known for its early adoption of innovative technology, and the AutoBox will join an EFI Nozomi C18000, a Massivit 1800, and a Durst Rho 512R Plus on the premises.

The cost of the investment was not disclosed but McGowans is hoping to see ROI within six to 12 months. Kolbus said prices for the AutoBox vary according to specification and the level of automation and capability.