MY Group chief executive John Monks said the investment was an expression of confidence in the Leeds site and its workforce, at a time when the carton sector remains under pressure and is contracting.

Over a three-month period the Leeds plant, which was built in the early 1990s, will install a second Creo Trendsetter CTP line, two additional MAN Roland 906 size six, six-colour presses with coaters, a Bobst SP 142 CER cut and crease autoplaten and three Heiber & Schroder carton erecting machines.

A further Bobst Alpina gluing line with easy feeder, preloader and auto packer will also join an additional three Bobst Easy Feeders with preloaders in the bindery.

The funds for the new investment will come from the firms cash resources.

The latest investment follows a 500,000 spend on pre-press and peripheral kit at its Tring facility last year, as part of a UK group-wide 1.5m move to CTP (PrintWeek, 30 August).

The Leeds site employs 350 staff, with a capacity to produce over 1bn cartons per annum for the bakery, cereal, confectionery, frozen/convenience food, spirits and beverage sectors.

Story by Andy Scott