The two companies are currently undergoing due diligence negotiations and expect to close the deal in the coming weeks.

Chief executive of Kern, Uli Kern, and Buhrs chief executive Joost van der Klooster announced the deal yesterday on Kern's stand (17/C920).

Kern will take on all mailing equipment as well as Buhrs' polywrapping lines and, while the deal is currently UK only, it may be rolled out across other countries in due course.

According to Kern's UK general manager Peter Jolley, the deal will give Kern products across the entire mailing range in the UK.

He said: "These two companies are very similar, family-based businesses with a long and established history. Buhrs has been around for 100 years and Kern has been around for 60 years.

"This will be good for both companies and I think it will be good for the industry in general. Kern is known for transactional mail, and while Buhrs also offers transactional mail equipment, it also has a lot of direct mail customers.

"The two completely complement each other and will be able to cover the entire spectrum of mailing."

Once the deal is completed, Buhrs customers will be able to call on engineers 24 hours a day, a service already enjoyed by Kern users. Kern currently has 65 engineers and will be adding Buhrs technicians to its team.

On its stand at the show, Kern is showing a new inserting system, the 2600, engaged in a full-page scan application.

Buhrs, which is based next door (17/C900), is showcasing its range of value-added mailing kit, the highlight being the Buhrs PT4.