The Baldock, Hertfordshire-based company bought the £17,000 machine in order to target perfect binding work in its local area.

Martin Ransford, managing director and founder of the two-year-old company, told PrintWeek: "We have built a customer base of around 25 printers and we are often being asked for perfect binding, many of them are going into London for work."

The purchase, which Ransford said would be his company's only of 2009, follows a 54% increase in turnover last year to £160,000.

MSA was formed when a local printing house decided to shed its finishing department, which Ransford was part of. The company has recently employed its first non-family employee – previously Ransford worked alongside his wife and son.

The company offers folding, perforating, stitch-and-trim, and gluing services.