The £47,000 machine replaces a 25-year-old model that the 12-staff company had originally purchased secondhand 17 years ago.

According to director Mick Eels, the guillotine is "a very important machine for a finisher. It supplies all of the cutting for the stitching line, folders and cylinder, so it needs to be just as quick. Almost everything goes through the guillotine."

The guillotine was installed at Speed Print's Mitcham site in December.

Speed Print Finishing has a turnover of around £1m. Its services include bookbinding, die-cutting, spot UV, laminating and general folding.