Warwick typically prints magazines, brochures and journals, but expects the new press to help it diversify into areas such as commercial work, short-run packaging and applications on uncoated stocks.

The press, which cost £1.75m, arrived in the second week of January to replace an ageing eight-colour Speedmaster 102 that was costing the firm due to the frequency with which it had begun to break down.

Young, who runs the business alongside his brother Alan, said: “We wanted to diversify and start looking into niche markets for expansion, and Heidelberg always builds machines with such a high standard. Their customer service is also exceptional.

“The CX 102 is the first of its kind in the UK, but we were unaware of that at the time, even if we had known it would not have fazed us as we have already laid the groundwork in our relationship and trust with Heidelberg.

“As a company, we are very keen to be flexible and explore new opportunities, so the plan moving forward is to stabilise our core offering and move ahead into new possibilities.”

Warwick Printing typically works on magazine runs from 3,000-20,000 and commercial runs of 5,000-10,000. The Speedmaster CX 102-4 LED can handle both short and long run work, operating at up to 16,500sph.

Bridging the gap between Warwick’s SRA3 digital work and B1 litho production, it will run 24/7 in three shifts alongside a Speedmaster SX 102-8-P long perfector that uses the same plate format.

Digital print makes up about 10% of the firm’s output, supported by in-house folding and finishing. With further expansion on the cards, Young suggested that an expansion of Warwick’s premises could be on the horizon in the next 18 months to accommodate.

Paul and Alan Young took charge of the company following the death of their father and managing director John Young at the end of last year. Currently turning over £5.6m, Warwick Printing is seeking a 10% sales increase this year.