The new business, based in Alfreton, Derbyshire, was formed last October and specialises in packaging prototypes and providing design, print and finishing for packaging. 

The new cutter, which was installed two weeks ago, cost £80,000, including Kasemake and Arden Impact software. It is Pack2Basics’ first piece of in-house kit.

The business employs four members of staff, all with experience in printing and packaging, who run complemetary businesses that will carry out various jobs for the firm. 

Pack2Basics managing director Garry Parkes said: “We did a really big survey of the market, and what I found quite interesting was that a lot of the digital cutters in the marketplace are targetted at the signmaking and POS markets.

“What I liked about this particular machine was its remarkable downforce for creasing. It’s exceptionally good at producing carton work. It is a solid and robust bit of kit and is of superb quality.” 

Parkes said the Kasemake and Arden Impact software complemented each other nicely. 

“I’ve been in packaging now for 25 years so I've seen lots of different software and I wanted to ensure we were as flexible and agile in the marketplace as possible.”

Parkes said initially Pack2Basics would mainly be focusing on utilising the experience of its employees to focus on packaging engineering from a structural point of view. It is already working with a number of global brands.

He is aiming to achieve a full return on investment within the company's first year of trading.

Parkes added: “One of our signature services is working with niche brands who are also at the early stages of building their business and looking to take their product to market through rapid prototyping. They may not fully understand packaging and can benefit from our expertise.

"We want to engage with them right from the beginning to help develop great packaging with the anticipation that as they grow, we grow and vice versa.”