The 3,700m2 site, based just yards from the existing factory in Northampton, has been kitted out with machines from by Oc, Pitney Bowes, Hunkeler and Heidelberg Stahl.

Neil Pike, one of the founders of Kettering direct mail specialist 4DM Group (formerly Hobs), has been recruited to run the facility. "Neil was appointed as the man to spend my 2m in just over a week and is doing a good job it's all gone!" said Print Factory managing director Steve Brundle.

Brundle said the group will sign its first transactional billing contract next week. It is also understood to have placed orders with Heidelberg for a new sheetfed press, a six-colour B1 Speedmaster and a 16pp web for its print facility.