The 4,500m facility will enable the manufacturer to bring its two-site operation under one roof. "It will have tremendous benefits for the company," said financial controller Bob Legrove.

The first steelwork has gone up for the purpose-built factory, less than a mile from its current administration centre in Winterhill.

The move has been driven by the success of its range of digital post-press kit. "We see [the move] as absolutely vital if we are to accelerate our product development programme and maintain our international reputation," said Legrove.

Only last week the firm reported over 1m worth of export orders for April.

Story by Darryl Danielli