Fyne Packaging has been manufacturing short-run box-making machinery for 25 years, supplying large multinationals and smaller independent companies. The deal was signed this week.

Fyne Packaging managing director David McLafferty said his 11-staff company in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, hoped to increase sales by 15%-20% in around 18 months.

Equipment covered by the deal includes the Vulcan and Lancaster single-pass and Harrier double-pass boxmaking systems, the Hawk slitter and Venom gluer. Prices ranged from around £20,000 to £50,000.

The machinery is targeted at big, long-established companies, small start-ups and packaging businesses who want to bring bespoke boxmaking in-house, he said.

According to the company, small independent companies could generate up to 90% gross margins on making bespoke boxes.

Fyne’s technology is also used big multinationals including retailers Next and JD Williams, and packaging giant Saica.

McLafferty, who runs Fyne with director son James, said: “We are a small, independent family business like Diecut, which specialises in die-cutting kit.

“Our equipment often works in tandem: most people need both conventional box-making kit and die-cutting equipment.

“We have been working very hard developing technology and perhaps not putting as much into marketing ourselves as we could. Diecut is very good at this.

“We hope it will put our name out more; we are not looking for meteoric growth but want to bring ourselves back into the fore.”

McLafferty said his company used to do a lot of exhibitions at home and abroad, but footfalls had fallen, the internet was stronger and his marketing hadn't “gone along with the 21st century”.

He added that technical support could be handled by both companies: “Both of us are happy to handle servicing and repairs; if Diecut has any problems we will jump in.

“By keeping the machinery simple and easy to maintain you don't need a specialist operator to keep it running.”