Replacing a seven-station Muller Martini 321 stitcher, the new line boasts eight stations plus cover feeder and, at 14,000cph, will more than double PCP’s productivity of the 6,000cph 321.

It represents the latest development in a long-lasting relationship with Muller Martini, which sees the Telford magazine printer runs a host of bindery equipment from the manufacturer.

“There is no other manufacturer that does stitching lines like Muller Martini,” said PCP managing director Alex Evans. “We have already been running their machines for a long time, but this just allows us to update ourselves.

“We do print runs from 15,000 to several hundred thousand with an average of six stations plus cover, so this gives us everything we need to produce what our clients want.

“I hope this investment shows customers that we are willing to invest in what is a very difficult and changing market. Obviously, the newer kit gives us longevity, which hopefully gives the customers reassurance. We have a strong, relationship with Muller Martini that has gone on for many years as they have helped us become a complete one-stop shop.”

A servo-driven, fully automatic machine, the Primera MC was first released to market at Drupa 2016.

Precision Colour Printing runs a pre-press department including three Epson plotters and three Fujifilm Luxel V8 platesetters. Its printing portfolio comprises Europe's first nine-colour Mitsubishi 1050 tandem perfector, a Manroland Rotoman, two Komori 38S systems and a Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 102 B1 perfector.

The new Primera MC joins a wide gamut of finishing kit including Kolbus and Muller Martini perfect binders, a range of Muller Martini stitchers, two Buhrs mailing lines, two Polar guillotines and three MBO folders.

PCP currently employs 242 members of staff and turns over circa £40m. According to Evans, the next stages for his firm will be to further automate the bindery department.