The Wollaton, Nottingham-based finishing company bought the machine from Friedheim International to replace its previous guillotine, which was almost 30 years old.

It has also upgraded a similar aged MBO T79 Folder to a 2008 MBO B30 from Roberts Graphics to handle the higher volumes of cut work produced by the guillotine.

NTF managing director Richard Anstock said: "These machines are primarly used on the large volume aspect of our business, which depends on the speed and reliability that newer models offer in order to retain whatever margin is still available.

"We specialise in work that can be technically trickier to produce but still carries a premium, so the continuing upgrade of our plant list is necessary to be able to offer the variation that our clients have come to expect."

The company had reached a point where the financial constraints of the depressed market no longer outweighed the need for an upgrade, but decided to trade in its old Schneider for the 2008 model as a compromise, Anstock explained.

The 115H machine incorporates computer control with TFT colour monitor and an infrared safety curtain for added protection. All S-Line models feature fully hydraulic drives.

Friedheim International sales manager Stuart Bamford said: "The Schneider 115H is the safest guillotine available on the market today. It is extremely easy to use and comes with a full range of labour-saving add ons." 

Anstock revealed that the company preferred the Schneider set-up to other guillotines, and said that the service and training given by supplier Friedheim International had been reliable over the many years that NTF has dealt with it.

He added: "On the rare occasions of a breakdown, we have absolute confidence that they’ll deliver the level of service we need to keep production disruption to a minimum."

NTF was launched in 2006 and employs 21 staff with a turnover of £850,000.