The new press complements its B2 Sakurai machines, as well as recent additions to its finishing line in the form of a Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST100 and a Horizon perfect binder.

The 50-staff company intends to add a Heidelberg Suprasetter CTP system later in the month, bringing the spend on its B2 move to around £950,000.

Managing director Martin Horner said that obtaining finance for the investment, with a 20% deposit, was "no problem at all".

The Speedmaster is configured with Axis ControlPrinect Press Centre and Prinect Pressroom Manager to optimise throughout and reduce makeready times and waste.

Prior to the B2 move, the company, which counts bookmaker Coral as a client, was mainly a forms and B3 commercial stationery printer, running a number of Edelmann miniweb presses and a Heidelberg QM46. In order to bridge the B2/B3 gap, the company has also added a Xerox 7002 digital press.

Production director Christian Chadwick said: "We saw new digital technology encroaching on some parts of our B3 work but we didn't want to follow that route so we decided to stick with litho and expand into B2.

"My ultimate dream remains to be running multiple Heidelberg 10-colour presses around the clock."

Horner said the B2 move has given the business a lot of short-run, quick turnaround booklet and perfect-binding work.

Staff are currently undergoing a week's training before the new Speedmaster is brought into production.