The Hoddesden-based company invested around £100,000 in the stitchliner, in order to offer fold-stitch-trim services with one machine.

Joint managing director of the 33-staff company, Keith Robertson, said he also wanted a one-man machine, rather one that would require three of his staff to operate.

He said: "We handle bigger volume work now so we needed a bigger machine, but we didn't want to employ additional staff.

"Previously we were outsourcing work, but the more you send out, the less profitable you are. It is working well for us."

The machine runs at around 5,500bph and was supplied with two-deep pile six-bin collators and two standalone joggers.

Robertson added: "When we have a lot of work we can just fill the bins and leave it collating. If the two towers need additional support, we can add it on later and that gives us the security of knowing we can take on more work."

The £3.5m-turnover commercial printer produces a variety of full-colour work for bluechips and local authorities on a six-colour B2 Komori, a five-colour B2 Heidelberg SM 74 and a five-colour B3 SM 52.

Also see:

Review: Horizon Stitchliner
Opinion: Finishing still needs the human touch