A GWENT printing company has invested £800,000 in equipment which is designed to increase its production capacity.

MWL Print Group invested the money in a Heidelberg B1 five colour press for the printing of magazines, books and brochures.

It is the second such machine to be operational at the company's Pontyfelin Industrial Estate site at New Inn, near Pontypool.

Charles Davies, joint managing director at MWL, said the additional press would help maintain the group's competitive edge.

He said: "The printing industry is an increasingly competitive market place, so it is essential that we continue to invest in the latest technology. This new press will dramatically increase our capacity, helping to ensure that we continue to meet our customers needs by printing to the highest quality in the shortest possible timescales."

The new machine took two weeks to install, went into operation at the end of last month and is capable of printing 15,000 sheets per hour. It offers the company a 30% increase in capacity.

The new machine is the latest to be installed at the New Inn site as MWL, which employs 130 staff, responds to technical advances and invests in the most up-to-date plant and equipment on the market. Such investments has seen the company turnover approach the £10 million mark.

In 1999 the company invested in a £300,000 Wohlenberg Cityline 4000 multi-station perfect binding line and last year spent £250,000 on a Muller Prima Amrys saddle-stitching line. MWL Digital Solutions, the digital printing subsidiary of the group, also expanded its service last year by investing £150,000 in an E-Print Pro colour digital press.