The machine, which has a list price of more than £350,000, is the company's second Bobst machine.

TTP installed the machine in September in order to cope with an increase in demand for cutting work.

Gerard Wiper, managing director of the £5m-turnover company said: "In the three years since we bought our first Bobst, we have grown the market for our die-cut products to such an extent that we now need a second machine."

The Visioncut has an increased running speed of 4,800 sheets per hour compared to its predecessor SPO160-Vision, while enhanced ergonomics make it possible to change jobs in less than 10 minutes, according to the 40-staff company.

Materials that can be converted by the Visioncut include litho-laminates, microflute, and corrugated up to double-wall corrugated (0.75mm-0.9mm). Maximum sheet size is 1,600x1,100mm.

Lucy Donald, commercial director, said: "Shelf-ready packaging is now seen as imperative for supermarkets, we have seen a huge increase in things like display boxes."

TTP is one of the largest independent manufacturers of corrugated packaging in the North East of England.

As well as food and drinks packaging, it also works with building companies, kitchen manufacturers, flat-pack furniture manufacturers and the vehicle industry.