The Colwick, Nottingham-headquartered business, which makes packaging for clients including major UK supermarkets, will take delivery of the new Swiss-built machine in June. It will join two existing similar machines, including one that was installed in 2019.

The business said the new Bobst will significantly increase its existing production capacity.

Sales and marketing director Justin Wilkins said: “We’re keenly aware that Covid-19 has wreaked havoc in some sectors, but the last year or so has been good for us. We are extremely grateful and fortunate to be in an industry that has not been stopped due to the pandemic.

“We’ve created the food packaging for many of the leading supermarkets during the pandemic and our team has worked incredibly hard to make sure our clients’ requirements have been met.

“But with our turnover now projected to increase again in 2021, it’s definitely time to boost productivity by adding a new die-cutting machine to our Nottingham production facility.”

Wilkins added the company’s approach to business remained “very straightforward” throughout the pandemic.

“We’ve simply kept our heads down, kept our workforce intact, kept our customers supplied and kept our visitors safe,” he said.

“That’s everything we could realistically do as a business – but with our forecasts indicating a very positive year ahead, I’m happy to say it’s been the right approach.”

The company’s turnover topped £34m for the first time in 2020 and it is expected to increase again to around £37m in 2021.

The Wilkins Group, which recently won the title of Midlands Family Business of the Year, employs more than 500 staff worldwide and operates additional facilities in Romania, Sri Lanka and China.