The family-run Blackpool-based company, which was founded in 1927, bought the automated B2 combination folding system from UK distributor Intelligent Finishing Systems.

The 566F has also brought a number of other benefits. The company recently took on an 800,000-run job, which its older machine could handle, but wasn't quick enough.

Managing director Dave Moulton said: "We have doubled productivity. You only need one person on the machine instead of two for our old machine – one to feed and one taking off. It has halved the running cost of the process."

Although it will allow the family business to handle longer-run work, Moulton's daughter Cassandra Moulton revealed the "real" reason behind the investment.

She said: "Our managing director is the only one that could operate the previous machine, when he goes away nobody can set it up. The new machine is fully automated – we can all use it."