Howitt chief executive Nick Dixon *pictured centre) came to the show to shake hands on a deal for an iGen3 for its Howitt Digital arm in Kent.

The machine will join a Xerox DocuColor 8000 installed at the firm last October, a month after Howitt bought the business, previously known as ELR.

Dixon said the growth in the digital business had been "quite significant". "The run rate is currently 3m a year and we want to get to 5m-7m quite quickly," he said.

Howitt Digital is set to move to new 2,000sqm premises in Edenbridge in May, where the iGen3 will be installed. "At the new facility we will have the capacity to further enhance the equipment," said Howitt Digital director Chris Mallinson.

The firm has also launched a dynamic, PDF-based print-on-demand service called Howitt d-Print, which enables clients to order and edit their print collateral online.

Paramount Print Group, the Manchester-based commercial litho printer, also signed for an iGen3.

Managing director Geraint Williams said the firm's 500,000 spend at Ipex had also bought XMPie personalisation software. The line, which will be commissioned in May, will be driven by a Creo front-end. Training will be provided by XL Training.

Paramount said it had to return to Ipex on Thursday "to spend yet more money" on finishing kit to service the iGen's increased capacity.