The fully-automatic £35,000 folder, which was installed two months ago, replaced a Stahl folder that was more than a decade old. It has had an instant impact on the firm’s productivity.

“We researched the market before making our decision. We looked at the Stahl and a number of other makes but we needed a quick makeready, easy to operate machine and it fell into that category,” said Spectrum Print owner Lawrence Corria.

 “Our old Stahl was very difficult to operate but this equipment is so easy to use that we don’t require staff to have such a high skill-set to be able to use it. It’s more efficient and it’s ideal for a small to medium print company.”

The Horizon AFC-566FG offers 17 fold patterns which are set up with an icon-based touchscreen. Roller gap settings are then performed automatically by inserting a single sheet at the calliper.

 “We can now do 100% more per shift so I anticipate it to attract new clients to us. We regularly get asked to do trade folding which we were reluctant to take on previously but now we’re more flexible we’ll be taking a bit more of that,” said Corria.

The firm has 10 employees and a turnover of £1m. It produces commercial collateral for customers including design agencies, councils and authorities.