The B2 purchase will be installed in July and is in addition to a number of pre-press upgrades, including integrated workflow packages, Prepress Manager and Pressroom Manager.

Andy Jackson, joint managing director at the Penrith-based commercial printer, said that the direction the company had taken was an environmental one.

He said: "As we're situated in the Lake District, being environmental sits well with our business.

"We like strict controls and standards and this means we have minders willing to commit to running with no or low alcohol. We are in a good consistent water area but we do also have reverse osmosis and water filtration, which also minimises process deviation."

By using Heidelberg's spectral measurement device, Inpress Control, the 35-staff company can also minimise start-up waste.

Jackson said: "We were looking for technology to help reduce our paper waste and the Inpress helps us with that. We already have a Speedmaster 74, so it was a natural progression to purchase the XL 75."

Reeds has just added PEFC certification to its ISO 14001 and FSC standards, and Jackson said that, by dedicating itself to the environment, the business had saved money.

The company's client sectors include councils and local government, and independent customers. Its products include business cards, colour leaflets and magazine work.

In August 2006, it was sold to a management buy-out team led by Jackson and joint managing director Dene Marshall.