The machine has been in operation at the company's Leicester-based plant for the past two weeks and, according to group chief executive Roger Lindop, it has "allowed us to do what we do better and more efficiently".

It can run at a maximum speed of 30,000 cycles an hour and features pneumatically-raised front edge wheels which pull the incoming sheet against the top sheet, preventing rebounding.

Lindop said: "It is 30-40% faster than the standard equipment and the makeready is a huge improvement. We have a niche in the colour critical market and our finishing equipment has to be not only robust, but also able to cope with quality work without fear of damage."

The company currently employs 150 staff and has a turnover of about £23m. Lindop hinted that there could be more Heidelberg equipment heading for the Leicester site later this year.