Repro manager Linda Ranby said that she had been very impressed with the system after seeing one in Agfas US factory.

The firm waited for the Xcalibur because its G16 is a 32pp press, so there would have been "no point getting a Galileo".

She said the other deciding factors were that the company used Agfas Apogee workflow and has two Avantra 44S imagesetters.

Woodfords Xcalibur VLF 70, which can handle plates up to 1,780x1,475mm, was installed six weeks ago.

The firm, which employs 50 staff, also has two G14 presses and images about 1,200 Agfa Thermostar P970 plates per month.

"We have been very impressed with how it has been running," said Ranby.

"There have also been enormous time savings with press makereadies, and theres no need to do spotting out now, which is great," she added.

Woodford Litho has a turnover in the region of 7.5m. The company produces magazine work for local government authorities and tourist boards.

Story by John Davies