Under the terms of a pan-European partnership with Ricoh, the digital press manufacturing will sell Duplo kit together with its own equipment under the tagline "print to finish".

Managing director Tony Lock said: "The partnership will provide Ricoh customers with compatible digital print/finishing systems, which are capable of completing the print-production process from start to finish.

"This will help them increase their productivity through providing a more efficient workflow. It will also see two major providers to the printing industry working together to develop a more united supplier environment."

According to Ricoh, Duplo is "extremely" well established across Europe, ensuring it can offer full support.

Product marketing manager at Ricoh Europe Miriam Halabicova said: "The future of the industry hinges on our efficiency and productivity. Complete solutions will be instrumental in achieving this."

Meanwhile, in its tie-up with HP, Duplo has launched an in-line version of its saddlestitcher, the Alpha Saddle, for HP's latest press, the Indigo 7500. It will enable users to produce stitched books in one process at speeds of up to 12,000bph.