The Brentwood, Essex-based business took delivery of the IFS-supplied machine in September. The financial printing specialist also runs a suite of Konica Minolta digital presses and operates 24/7.

The HT-80 can be used offline or in-line for fast book production. Most sections can be set up automatically by inputting the untrimmed size and finished size into the colour touchscreen for quick and accurate changeover. The device can run at up to 1,000cph and can trim blocks up to 51mm thick.

Colourfast Financial managing director Darren Bacon said: “We have had Horizon systems for many years. They have grown as our business has grown.

“We started with a single clamp Horizon BQ-270 perfect binder following advice from a customer. We later added a Horizon HT-30 three-side trimmer and second Horizon BQ-270 before expanding capacity with a Horizon BQ-470 four clamp perfect binder and a Horizon HT-70 three-knife trimmer.

“As we are a 24-hour operation we kept one of the BQ-270s just in case we needed it, but we never have. Our Horizon systems have never let us down.”

Bacon said the most important element of the investment was the machine’s high level of safety functions that also enable the business to ensure socially distanced operation.

“We have quite a small production space and with the automated Horizon HT-80 less people are required to complete the work. We also knew what it would be able to do and how it would support greater efficiency and productivity.”

He added: “Our relationship with IFS is very important. We are very loyal to our suppliers, but we know we can trust in the quality of the Horizon systems.”

In 2019 Colourfast Financial took on the UK’s first AccurioJet KM-1 from Konica Minolta.