The TH82 complements a Stahlfolder KH 82 automated combination folder, which was installed in December shortly after Orchard upgraded its two-year old Speedmaster 102 10-colour perfector to a new XL 106-10-P.

Adrian Williams, co-owner of the Tewkesbury-based printer, said the firm had invested around £300,000 across the two Stahlfolders and just over £3m including the XL 106.

"You can't stand still in this business, you've got to keep investing to remain competitive," said Williams. "The XL 106 has revolutionised what we can do versus the 102 and having the two different folders gives us more capacity and flexibility.

"The combination folder is more for section work, while the TH 82 perfs and scores and does all sorts of things - it's good for anything that's a bit more complicated."

Orchard Press started out in 1990 as a print broker before moving into production in 1996. It has 15 staff produces a wide range of commercial print, including books, catalogues, leaflets and promotional materials.

The firm has stitching in-house, with a Heidelberg ST350 six-station plus cover, although it currently puts out its perfect binding.

"If I had room I'd like to put one in," said Williams. "We do quite a bit of perfect bound work but it's such a huge investment you've got to have the work to fill it."

He added that the next investment would be to enlarge the firm's building, via an extension on the side or the back, before any further kit spend. Orchard runs double-day shifts, five days a week and on weekends as necessary.

"We've been running weekends a lot more this year, especially in the first quarter," said Williams. "Capacity was pretty full-on at the start of the year."