A KENDAL business is aiming for expansion after completing its largest-ever investment.

Kent Valley Colour Printers has taken delivery of a brand new £750,000 colour printing press which will substantially increase its production capacity.

Director Tim Sarginson said it was the most highly automated press of its kind on the market from the Japanese manufacturer Komori.

Up until now, the firm has relied on second hand machinery but felt it was time to make the "quantum leap" into 21st century technology.

"We feel we have an enviable reputation for quality and service and this particular machine will enhance that tremendously," Mr Sarginson told Business Gazette.

The new press is capable of printing 15,000 sheet an hour, which will considerably speed up production and efficiency, enabling the firm to handle far more work.

A former apprentice at Kendal-based Titus Wilson, Mr Sarginson decided to form his own business with his wife Clare 11 years ago.

The business, based on the Shap Road Industrial Estate, now employs a total of seven staff and it is hoped more jobs could be created if, as expected, the new press generates increased business.

The firm's workload includes everything from brochures and calendars to CD sleeves and limited edition prints, while customers range from large multi national companies to small local firms.

"We try to make sure that all jobs are of a consistently high quality.

We want to make sure every job is as important to us as it is to the originator," said Mr Sarginson.

'Big step forward' for award-winner.

Award-winning printing firm Frank Peters has invested £300,000 in a new computer-to-plate facility which will complement its powerful digital pre-press system.

Bosses at the company, based at Gatebeck, near Kendal, say the installation of state-of-the-art technology will allow the firm to produce the finest possible quality of print production for a wide range of clients.

Managing director Steve Wray said: "The company has always been highly respected as a sheet-fed printer.

However, we recognise that if we are to stay at the forefront of our market, we need to keep up with technology and ensure that we operate with the very finest equipment."

The new platesetter and proofer will enable the business to produce all digital colour proofing, and to subsequently make any last minute changes to jobs, without going through the expensive and time-consuming process of re-starting the whole production procedure.

Mr Wray said the new equipment represented a big step forward for Frank Peters.

"We are now able to offer our customers more flexibility, a better product and a quicker turnaround.

Our quality and efficiency will be markedly improved and that can only help us as we look to move the business forward."