It is a continuation of the firm's strategy to move to magazine and longer run catalogue production begun with the acquisition of the Yeovil site (formerly Jensen Press) in October 2002.

Pims Chairman Julian Henchley pledged to grow the business from 7m to 12m when he bought the first 10-colour last April. Having achieved that he is now aiming for an additional 30% growth in the next year.

It installed its second 10-colour Speedmaster 102 in a new 7,700m2 factory in Crewkerne Somerset.

By the end of August its two litho sites, Yeovil and Shepton Mallet, will be relocated to the site, which will run two 10-colours, two six colour 102s and a pair of Speedmaster 74s. All but one 74 and the original 10-colour are additional capacity.

"We're currently printing 16 titles, which range from 5,000 to 80,000 copes and we're adding to those," said Henchley. "With the move to Crewkerne we're really specialising in magazines."

One part of the firm's strategy was to pick up the print work for the magazines that its mailing operation in Peterborough distributes.

"We are cross selling on magazines which we distribute," he said. "And we have succeeded in converting some."

Since the start of the year Pims has upped headcount in its litho division from 93 to 109 and has moved from 24/5 operation to 24/7.

It is in the process of adding four sales staff to its existing 10 and opening a sales office in the Midlands, which joins an office in Poole opened earlier this year.

"Restructuring is beginning to take shape and bring benefits, but there is still further work needed," he said. "I'm going to turn my attention to digital next."

Story by Barney Cox