The Leyland-based outfit installed the machine, which was supplied by Wakefield-based agent Lloyds Print Services, around two weeks ago, and had it up-and-running almost immediately.

It joins two existing folder-gluers, a Signature Premier 130 and a Vesta, which director Chris Dew said means his finishing department now perfectly caters for a printing kit roster that includes a KBA Rapida 106 and a Manroland 805-6 with coater. Four new staff have recently been brought in to manage the extra workload.

Dew said: “We put some interest out there a while back and this machine popped up and was available so we went for it.

“It’s a good all-rounder. Makereadies are easy, straightforward – it does a good job. We do a lot of short-run work so changeover is important for us and it’s a flexible setup and one we are very used to. We have built our business over the last two to three years creating high levels of service, quick change-arounds, and this builds on that platform. There is no huge learning curve, it’s fitted in really well very quickly.”

The Signature takes cartons sized between 58mm and 1.1m, operating at speeds of between 15m/min and 425m/min. It also handles folding box board weighing between 200gsm and 800gsm.

“It’s already having an effect, helping us in what we are trying to do in terms of improving our level of service, which is good anyway, but this will give us a boost,” added Dew. 

Dew, who in 2013 was part of an MBO of the business that was previously called Leyland Print, added that Affinity would be further investing in cutting and creasing equipment later in the year, before looking at the possibility of new presses.

Other than the KBA, Roland and folder/gluers, Affinity also runs window patching equipment and other folding machines.