A MALTON business has invested £500,000 into diversifying its service during the coronavirus pandemic.

InPrint Colour, established in 1983 by founder Paul Coulson, is expanding into packaging after purchasing and installing the Heidelberg Diana GO 85 folder-gluer.

The business, which offers a variety of printing services, decided to look into boosting its packaging offer two or so years ago.

Paul Coulson, who runs the Malton business with his son and fellow director Lee Coulson, went to Heidelberg, in Germany, a couple of months ago and signed the Diana deal.

“We chose Heidelberg as they are the market leaders in finishing equipment for packaging,” said Lee Coulson, director of InPrint Colour.

“We are certain that our customers will benefit from a faster turnaround time and better-quality products from this investment.

“At InPrint Colour, we have been using Heidelberg equipment for the last 30 years and they have given us unparalleled customer service.

“Work is starting to pick up more now, but we just thought with things the way they are we would diversify and go into packaging properly.

“The next investment is for a die cutting machine that will complement the Heidelberg MK Diana Go 85 folder/gluer machine and a factory extension.”

The Heidelberg Diana GO 85 machine can run a wide range of styles such as straightline and lockbottom as well as document wallets, envelopes and CD sleeves.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a major decrease in work from its tourism clients and running at about 50 per cent of its previous level during the first lockdown - which accelerated the InPrint’s diversification plans.

“It was not easy during the first lockdown, but we stayed open and local businesses have been very supportive during this time,” said Patrick Walker, production manager.

“It is very important to expand and invest for the future.

“We are investing in packaging finishing equipment as commercial print is in decline.

“We are bringing work back to Ryedale that usually is farmed out to other areas of the country.

“As a manufacturer we cannot stand still as customers want jobs quicker and with added complexity.”

For more information, visit inprint-colour.co.uk