The Stone, Staffordshire-based digital and litho print and design company bought the machine from Printers Superstore and signed the deal at Ipex in March.

The machine, which was installed at the company’s 465sqm premises at the weekend and is currently being commissioned, replaces an old Ryobi B3 press.

Sales and marketing manager Nigel Passmore said: "We've made the investment to increase our productivity and enhance our quality and for that the Hans Gronhi press was our number one although we did look at other options. We saw it earlier in the year but signed the deal at Ipex."

Panda Press, which has eight staff and a turnover of around £450,000, has also reduced its costs by upgrading to the new machine, as it uses less power than the four-colour press it has replaced.

The firm produces a range of general commercial work including books, banners, posters, brochures and business cards for a wide spread of customers based mainly in the local area. It also runs a Xerox 700 digital press and has a range of finishing kit.

It upgraded to a five-colour press to benefit from its sealing unit, which will assist drying time, and for brand matching and other special colour work.

"We see run lengths continuing to fall and expect to continue picking up work for our B3 machines which previously B2 printers would handle," said managing director Laurence Tunnicliffe.