It replaces two machines: a Bograma rotary die-cutter and a Heidelberg Cylinder, which will be phased out as the new purchase arrives in the first week of March.

Ormskirk, Lancashire-based Ultragraph use the new Promatrix for a wide range of packaging applications, including cartons, wraps, card carriers, wallets and gift card packaging.

Managing director Nick Jones said: “The Promatrix is part of a big package of investment in 2019 that we will announce more details about in due course. It was chosen after looking at a few other vendors, including a trip to China, but we selected Heidelberg because of our existing relationship.

“With our older machines, we could do excellent die-cutting work on anything below 500 microns, but any thicker substrates would never come out any good. The Promatrix’s capabilities include a wider range of thick substrates.

“Clients will benefit because our die-cutting business is growing quickly. We expect it to double in size following the installation of the Promatrix, and the new machine allows us to keep up with the growing demand.”

Heidelberg’s Promatrix 106 CSB is capable of cutting, stripping and blanking on sheets from 350x300mm to 1,060x760mm, working at speeds up to 8,000sph. It will process work carried out on Ultragraph’s Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75 perfector.

The firm’s kit also includes a Heidelberg Versafire CP digital press and a wide range of finishing machinery. More equipment is expected to arrive on the 1,200sqm site between March and May.

Ultragraph employs 23 workers and turns over £3.5m. Its output includes e-liquid packaging products, as well as cartons and packaging for automotive and household products, non-contact food, telecoms and banking.