The firm has moved its hand-finishing operations, a small guillotine and a small folder into the new site. The move has freed up space on its main site, allowing it to add new equipment. Managing director Graham Masters hopes to install a second Stahl 78 B1 folder before Christmas, and to add a Flowline and stacking system to its Polar guillotine.

However, he said the firm desperately wanted to move to a bigger site in the long term to keep pace with demand. If nothing else, the last two months have shown us that were busy in all areas, he added.

There is no space in the existing site to install the third Muller Martini stitching line that he wants. Two-thirds of our work goes out as saddle-stitched books, said Masters, who wants the business to remain in Nottingham to retain its existing customer base and staff.

He has also brought in a new works manager, Simon Davis, from BG Watson. His appointment means that production manager Richard James will take on sole responsibility for all production and staffing matters, allowing production director Nigel Moore to spend more time dealing directly with customers.

Phoenix started business in 1991 with seven staff, and has grown to a 1.5m-turnover business employing 32. Last year it was included in the Inner City 100 index of fastest-growing inner city companies.

Story by Gordon Carson