The 90,000-run, 800pp catalogue was a special edition for Harley-Davidson, commemorating 100 years of its motorcycles and including the launch of its 100th anniversary accessories collection.

Chief executive Andrew Dalton declined to comment on whether the catalogue was a one-off or part of a large contract win, but said Pindars front-end capacity and the Lithoman were instrumental in securing the deal.

Production of the catalogue gave Pindar the ability to use its Prinergy workflow system, enabling data to be supplied from remote locations.

The catalogue was printed American A4 on the new press, which was installed in July, and Pindar worked in conjunction with BASF to produce a concentrated rich black ink for web offset, which was used throughout the catalogue.

The catalogue was finished using integrated rotary trimming and re-moistening equipment to aid perfect binding.

Pindars former chairman and lifetime president Tom Pindar was pictured at the firms own photography studio on the Harley-Davidson V-Rod.

Competition in the catalogue sector could intensify after Howitts announcement last week that it would build a new gravure plant (PrintWeek, 11 October).

But Dalton said it was an absolutely brilliant idea and a great boost for the UK print industry.

As long as Howitt stuck to its declared aim of using the plant to win work back from European competitors, then Dalton was all in favour and did not see it as a threat to his business.

Story by Andy Scott