A charity has benefited after a Cumbrian print firm celebrating its 140th anniversary visited suppliers in Germany to mark the landmark occasion.

Directors from Penrith-based H&H Reeds Printers were invited by Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG to its printing press headquarters in south west Germany.

Managing director of H&H Reeds Printers, Andy Jackson and its production director Phil Gowling were invited to Heidelberg to see the factory in action.

The German firm also made an immediate donation to Macmillan Cancer Support, the charity supported by H&H Reeds during its 140th year.

Andy said: “This came about as a result of our loyalty and allegiance to Heidelberg printing presses, going back as long as we can remember.”

The Cumbrian team were treated to a full tour of the factory, along with a demonstration tailored to their needs and working practices with focus on future innovation.

Andy added: “For us both, this really was a great opportunity to go behind the scenes of a truly cutting-edge printing factory.

"We were able to see every part of the production lines and processing facility, which is so huge that I couldn’t see the other end of the factory.”

He said the Heidelberg company has an international reputation and is renowned for its pioneering technology and precision, which is why H&H Reeds has used them to supply their printing presses for so many years.

Photographs of Heidelberg presses in action at H&H Reeds' Penrith printworks go back well over 50 years.

Andy added: “These machines have always been the Rolls-Royces of the print industry, renowned for their quality and customer service.”