The 16-staff Northern Ireland business has installed a 7,700sph MK Easymatrix 106 die-cutter with stripping unit.

According to managing director Geoff Truesdale the investment was fuelled by consistent growth across its FMCG client base, which led it to look at easing a potential die-cutting bottleneck. It expects a 30% productivity boost as a result of the Easymatrix’s arrival.

“A large part of our customer base is within the FMCG sector, which has seen huge growth over recent years and with increased demand comes increased responsibility,” he said.

“We’re confident this innovative technology will continue to help us grow as a business to serve all our customers to the highest standards.”

The B1 die-cutter from Heidelberg was installed in February and replaced an aging Bobst SP 104E. The new machine will run alongside a brace of Heidelberg cylinders used for cutting, foiling and embossing.

The business, essentially a Heidelberg house, also runs a Speedmaster XL 75 with coating and a pair of Jagenberg Diana folder/gluers.

According to Truesdale, it plans to make another investment in its production capabilities later this year. While he wouldn’t be drawn on the specifics, he said this time it would be focused on addressing some “outsourcing issues”.

The Belfast-based operation began life as a jobbing commercial printer 21 years ago, but around a decade ago it began to evolve into a packaging specialist and now works with some of the UK’s leading FMCG and luxury food brands.

It only runs vegetable-based inks and glue and holds BRC Global Standard AA rating.