Blue cuts finishing costs with £350,000 spend

Since the turn of the year, the east-London printer has  installed two secondhand Muller Martini 335s, a

In May 2009, the company bought a six-colour Polyman from failed printer Mayhew McCrimmon to begin offering web-press services. It also took on the staff of the failed printer.

Blue said the move had helped it achieve an estimated 36% growth in turnover, based on the first nine months of trading in the financial year to May 2010.

Blue managing director Paul Mursell said: "Our turnover is up about £3m on the back of the web plant, it is now producing about a third of our turnover and I think we are on course for £10m this year.

"Previously, we were spending £5,000 a week sending the work to be finished at the Harlow site.

"As well as the cost, we couldn't control how quickly the work was sent out. It shows how serious about the plant we are, it isn't just a trial any more."

Following the investment, Blue employed eight new staff at the Southend facility, taking the total at the plant to 22 and the company's total to 90.

Mursell added: "We could not have got off the ground without the help of Webmart, they have supported us hugely.

"We have now added direct mail, financial and corporate clients at the plant."