The press cost around £2.6m and was installed and commissioned in late November 2018 at Leeds-based OPM. It was configured with Martin Automation MBS automatic butt-splicer, an LRD automatic transfer rewind and an AVT Helios 6 inspection system.

With an output of labels and flexible packaging especially favoured in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, OPM will run its FA4 alongside a Nilpeter FA6 with a similar inline setup.

Managing director Chris Ellison said: “We were looking for the additional flexibility that would come with more capacity and a key draw of the FA4 setup was the reduction in running waste due to its automation.

“Nilpeter technology is something we were already comfortable with after more than 30 years working together so, while we looked at the market, we were already convinced that this was the direction we would go in.

“We will be making use of this tech for its multi-web capabilities that allow multiple layers to an application produced more quickly across two webs. Applications like pull-and-reveal booklets and multi-language instructions are all feasible and the combination of substrates is now greater too. This setup is very much bespoke for our target market.”

The Nilpeter FA4 runs with a web width of 420mm and prints at speeds up to 175m/min. It has been installed by OPM with de- and re-lamination, UV-lamination, die-cut, screen, hot-foil, cold-foil, embossing, in-setting and cross-over printing units.

According to Ellison, his firm has one eye on future investment for 2019 but is bracing for the unknown quantity of Brexit.

“Once that turbulence is clear away, we can press forward,” he said.

Working on 5,574sqm premises, OPM Group employs 78 members of staff and is turning over £19m.