Contego, formerly Nampak Healthcare, has bought a Lithrone GL40 six-colour + coat press with Komori's print inspection system, a Bobst Expertcut 106 PER Blanking machine and a Kodak CTP.

The equipment will be installed at Contego's new site in the Trilogy development at Segenworth North in Fareham, Hampshire, which will be the company's base from the end of November.

Tom Reid, chief executive of Contego Packaging Group, said: "Our current Portsmouth factory is housed in two separate buildings which does not allow room for much-needed expansion.

"The move to Trilogy provides an opportunity for us to invest in state-of-the-art printing and cutting and creasing technology to handle the growing requirements for cartons at Portsmouth, and provides scope for even further expansion.

"Capacity at the relocated site will be around 25% more than the current availability."

All staff at the pharmaceutical packaging printer have been given the opportunity to transfer from Contego's current site in Railway Triangle Business Park, Portsmouth, to the new facility, which is expected to employ more than 100 staff.

Contego said that the B1 press investment - to go alongside the pharmaceutical packaging printer's existing B3 equipment - would allow it to meet the requirements of long- and short-run work more effectively.

Contego Packaging supplies the pharma industry with cartons, leaflets, labels and blister pack foils from ten sites across Europe.