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Finishing company Alpha Media Solutions has turned the tables on the raft of printers buying finishing equipment by splashing out £2m on a new press.

The Bradford-based company has purchased a Heidel­berg XL105 press with Cutstar sheeter and Image Control.

Alpha made the purchase after it signed a five-year production deal for the UK and Europe with Z-Card, which the company estimates to be worth around £25m.

With the Heidelberg, Alpha will be bringing the printing of Z-Cards, which it currently contract-manages and finishes, in-house.

According to managing director Ian Whitfield, the investment will allow Alpha to take more control over the production of Z-Cards, and will complement its array of finishing equipment, which includes die-cutting, high-speed folding and gluing, window patching, saddlestitching, miniature folding, guillotining and personalisation.

He said: “We wouldn’t be making this purchase without the Z-Card contract. Time will tell how much capacity they will take up.

“I am sure we will be having some interesting conversations going forward, but we have no doubt that this is the best product for what we do.”

Over the past 18 months, Alpha has also bought a Bobst Mistral high-speed folding/gluing line, a Heiber & Schroder Window Patcher, three MBO miniature folders and a Domino Bitjet system. The Heidelberg investment takes Alpha’s spend in that time close to the £3m mark.

Z-Cards are produced using patented technology and are used as a communications tool by global brands, including Apple and British Airways.

Alongside the investment, the firm has brought five new staff on board, bringing its total number of employees to more than 100.