The Leicester-based company produces auxiliary products for finishing equipment, which it distributes around the world.

However, its American subsidiary recently had a product returned because it did not work - which was later revealed to be a rival product mistaken for a Tech-ni-fold creasing device.

Graham Harris, managing director of Tech-ni-fold, told PrintWeek that his company currently has a patent pending, which he hoped would put an end to the rival products coming into the market.

But he said: "We are confident that our products and customer service are the best on the market and we have no problem with competition if it is carried out fairly. My only concern for now is that our customers are fully aware of this potentially confusing situation."

He added that some of the substandard equipment discovered in the US had made its way to the UK. He warned that anyone buying a creasing device that claims to be Tech-ni-fold's should check that it features the Tech-ni-fold name.