The Penrith-based company has taken over the wide-format and signage printer in a bid to expand its range of services while creating a one-stop shop.

Speaking to PrintWeek, Andy Jackson, joint managing director of H&H Reeds Printers, said long-standing synergies between the companies made the acquisition a logical move.

"We had used Albany for some time to sub-contract out our wide format work. It came to the point where we were either going to invest in our own equipment or acquire a business and that's when we entered in to a dialogue with Albany," he said.

The deal grows H&H Reeds Printers' headcount total to 40 and will result in Albany undertaking a rebrand to fit in with the group. The company will remain in Carlisle.

The acquisition follows on from Reeds Printers takeover by one its key clients, H&H, last December following its decision to enter the print industry.

Jackson added: "Our printing business has seen steady growth in recent years and since we became part of the H&H Group last November, they have provided the investment to develop the business further.

"As a result we have seen increased business from both our existing clients and from new customers from all over the UK. The addition of a sign division allows us to offer our customers an added service and we look forward to developing this new division."

Although Jackson would not disclose the company's turnover, he said the past six months had been a "record-breaking" period for the business, which intends to take on more staff in the coming months.