Northampton-based Scyphus previously provided its signature printed cups by outsourcing the print process to a local business.

Managing director Lez Carr said that, with the introduction of his firm’s new range of biodegradable and recyclable cups, he was keen for his firm to take more direct control of each step in the manufacturing process.

The secondhand B2 press cost £300,000 and has already been installed onsite by used equipment specialist Exel Printing Machinery this week (w/c 25 February) and will be commissioned next week.

Carr said: “We have been in business now for 10 years and our product range has become increasingly vast and so we wanted to take greater control of the process now that we are especially conscious of our environmental responsibilities.

“This Heidelberg machine was the one we chose because the size of board it could take gave us the most scope. We will of course produce cups with it, but it also gives us the chance to grow our packaging offering.

“Now, it is a case of us getting the word out there and making our clients aware of what we are doing so we can see where it takes us.”

In taking on the Speedmaster, Scyphus also hired a press minder to join its 12-strong team to take responsibility of the machine. Products in its burgeoning packaging offering include food sleeves and popcorn boxes.

Carr described his firm’s Europe-spanning clients as “everyone up from Harrods down to the Joe Bloggs coffee shop” with job runs ranging in length.

Founded in 2009, Scyphus currently turns over around £1m, although Carr said he hopes to see the company “more than double” its sales in the next 18 months with the help of the new press.