A FAMILY-run print firm is expecting to take on more staff after a major �2.5million investment in a new press.

Ancient House Press, based on Ipswich’s Hadleigh Road Industrial Estate, currently employs 105 people.

The firm says it expects the arrival of the latest generation Komori Lithrone GL40 printing press will result in a jobs boost across its departments.

The move to purchase the Komori Ten Colour GL1040P sheet fed press underlines its confidence in a competitive marketplace, it says. Following its arrival, it plans to enhance and strengthen its business for the future, particularly in the production of catalogues, high quality brochures and reports.

The new press includes technologies designed to enhance production efficiency, improve print quality and lessen the environmental impact of the process by dramatically reducing make-ready waste.

Joint managing director Allison Berry said it would help the firm grow.

“We are delighted to announce this latest investment which puts us in an excellent position to continue to provide our existing client base with outstanding quality work, faster and more efficiently, as well as developing new markets which is very exciting,” she said.

Joint managing director Michael Underdown said before making the decision to purchase the plant, the firm looked at a number of manufacturers and carried out print tests.

“Our experience with our Komori System 38S webs has been excellent and we have been blown away with the latest Komori sheet fed technology.

“The quality of print, combined with the efficiency gains are the two main factors our clients require,” he said.

Steve Turner, director of sheetfed sales at Komori UK, said the firm had been “extremely thorough” in its evaluationg of the market .

“The decision to invest in the Komori is testimony to the quality and sheer efficiency of this sophisticated Lithrone GL 1040P press,” he said.

“We are, of course, thrilled that AHP chose to move to a Komori sheet fed press for this important investment, and this will be a flagship installation for us.”

Ancient House, which has been established for more than 160 years, holds both ISO 14001 accreditation and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Chain of Custody certification.