Coding and marking specialist Linx Printing Technologies has been presented with a prestigious industry award for the Linx CJ400 continuous ink jet printer, described as "outstanding" by judges.

The machine was named as winner of the 'Most Innovative Processing or Packaging Machine' category at the PPMA (Processing & Packaging Machinery Association) Group Industry Awards in Birmingham.

The award is presented to the machinery manufacturer or company which has installed an application that has dramatically improved productivity for the customer.

Judges wrote that the Linx CJ400 had been selected for "demonstrating that thorough investigation of every component can bring outstanding results".

The award was accepted by the company's Marketing Director Paul Doody, and Program Manager Jenny Toms.

Dr Doody said: "Linx is celebrating its 25th jubilee in 2012 and we are absolutely delighted to mark that anniversary with this award.

"Looking forward, as for the past 25 years, our aim is to produce innovative, reliable, cost-effective coding and marking equipment which is simple to use and tailored to the needs of customers. The PPMA Group Industry Award recognises the success of the Linx CJ400 in doing precisely that."

Linx, based in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, makes machines for use on production lines in a wide range of manufacturing sectors including the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, automotive and electronic industries, where product identification codes, batch numbers, use-by dates and barcodes are needed.

The Linx CJ400 was launched in 2011, following a major global consultation to research the needs of end users.

Offering unique portability, fast set-up and ease of use, the Linx CJ400 features an Easi-Change? Service Module, which can be changed in minutes, meaning scheduled maintenance can be carried out without the need for a trained technician or costly service calls - a major advantage for smaller customers or those in remote regions. Other innovations deliver a significant reduction on cleaning costs, ink and solvent consumption.

The Linx CJ400's unique compact design means it weighs only 13.5 kg complete with fluids, making it the lightest CIJ printer on the market and well within health and safety limits for one person to pick up. Its easy to use, colour touch screen means users don't need complicated manuals or training.

Actor and comedian Bobby Davro and TV presenter Amy Garcia hosted the ceremony in front of around 400 industry figures at the National Motorcycle Museum (Tuesday 25 September).