The firm bought maintenance contracts, spare parts and consumables. It has also taken on six engineers.

We expect to gain 55 extra clients. We approached Openshaw to sell because it brought us in line with Xeikons worldwide policy, said Xeikon GB sales director Greg Neesham.

Xeikon had already decided that it would not renew Openshaws deal, which had three years to run.

We no longer sell or service Xeikon presses but that wont affect our other areas, said Openshaw managing director Tony Halker.

With the loss of the Xeikon business, Openshaws digital print portfolio includes the new Konica Minolta 8050, Ocs CPS 700 and the.factory.