MAN Roland UK agent Pershke Price Service (PPS) is taking on a 12,000-per-hour stitching line in a bid to challenge the dominance of Muller Martini and Heidelberg.

An Osako 368 is being shipped over from Japan and will be installed at PPS Mitcham office at the end of the month.

Ian Pollard, PPS UK finishing sales manager, said: "Weve been talking to Osako since Drupa and we were very impressed with the machine it looks the part.

"The worldwide market is dominated by Muller Martini and Heidelberg, but we believe theres room for another player."

Pollard said PPS would target medium- to large-format printers and trade finishers, and would sell on the strength of the firms reputation for back-up.