The Pontypool-based business, part of the Zenith Group, will take delivery of the new machines in October.

“The folder is a good match for the Speedmaster XL 106 we bought last year. Indeed it features the same feeder technology as the press; we can finally see a folder running at the same speed as the XL,” said Zenith operations director Mark Partridge.

Although Heidelberg has offered a high-speed folder option previously, it did not use the traditional feeding orientation and the sections produced were not standard in format.

Launched earlier this year, the TH/KH 82-P models use the standard orientation and overlap sheets throughout the process, in effect slowing the machine down for better control while giving a higher output of standard format sections.

Folded sheets in the final format 16-page A4 can be produced on the folder at a rate of up to 16,000sph at a machine speed of 150m/min.

Zenith saw the TH 82-P operating at Drupa and was impressed by its makeready times, output, ease of use and running costs.

“These folders will give our customers faster turnarounds and gives us more capacity and, with that, flexibility,” said Partridge.

“The main focus was automation which is important for the short run work. The average run length is between 500-5,000 copies and thanks to the automatic settings we can produce quality work in 50 sheets.”

Pressroom manager Geraint Evans added: “We like the ability to link in the folders, using Prinect JDF workflows, to our MIS system. That will optimise our performance, eliminate bottlenecks and allow us to plan and predict work timescales better.”

Zenith Group, which encompasses Zenith Media, Zenith Print & Packaging and C3 Imaging, employs 200 people and has a turnover of around £20m. It works for clients including sporting organisations, universities, governments and blue-chip businesses.