Arriving at Langham’s Cambridge base in December last year, the new machine was supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS).

Working alongside the firm’s Develop Ineo+ 6100 digital press, it will largely be used to focus on short-run booklet work to enhance the speed and efficiency of Langham’s output to its clients.

“Over a period of years, we have seen what this kind of bookletmaking equipment can do,” said managing director David Arnold. “I have been in the IFS showroom various times over 20 years or so and I have always liked the way they worked.

“The automation on the SPF-200L just felt right for us in the moment and we can use it to serve a huge array of clients from the big, corporate ones to individual orders of service.

“It goes together with our Develop machine perfectly in terms of the speed and efficiency that it gives us, and we can now be more flexible on delivery targets – which are an important factor when clients choose to go digital. We can produce work much quicker.”

The Horizon SPF-200L runs at speeds up to 4,500bph with the ability to feed A4 landscape sheets up to 640mm in length.

Alongside an upgrade of its CTP system to improve plate production speed for its B2 Komori S29 five-colour plus coater in January, Langham has now bought premises of its own and is aiming to move out of its current rented base shortly.

Its new home will be slightly smaller at 790sqm, eliminating what Arnold refers to as “wasted space” for the streamlined operation across its floorspace at present.

With 15 members of staff, Langham Press on average hits an annual turnover of £1.5m.