The firm invested around 250,000 in the equipment, which was installed last week. The investment is part of a strategy to push further into the direct marketing sector.

"We see the market for short- to medium-run direct mail activity growing at a very considerable rate with the requirement for linked colour images increasing daily," said Stewarts business development manager Marion Reid.

"Xerox has given us a lot of support as part of the investment," added operations director Kenny Murray. "The press also offers very short lead times, helping us to have a quicker speed to market."

Murray also said that the investment in the Xerox DocuColor 8000 would not be the last spend on equipment.

"We have not signed up for another digital press but we do have a programme for investing in the very best technology," he said.

Murray was part of a management buyout team at Stewarts alongside Reid and managing director Terry O'Hare. The takeover was completed during the summer (PrintWeek, 3 June).

"We have invested a very significant amount in our IT infrastructure over the past 10 years," said O'Hare.

Stewarts specialises in colour print media and office supplies and has an 80-strong workforce. This year the firm is celebrating its 125th anniversary.

l Xerox has launched the Xerox Graphic Arts Public Portal enabling print buyers the chance to link up with its Premier Partners network.

Premier Partners is a global network of around 350 digital printers and was established four years ago to promote and exchange knowledge as well as giving print buyers access to the companies.

Story by Philip Chadwick