Alpha Card, which expanded into the US market last month, has worked with the Munich company for several years and will now include its site and workforce under the growing Alpha Card brand.

Founded in 2013 Alpha Card has established itself as a leading manufacturer of z-fold cards, achieving 25% growth year-on-year in the face of the growing digital market. It has produced nearly 50 million products in five years for almost every market sector for clients throughout the UK as well as mainland Europe, Africa and North America.

Alpha Card German territory business development manager Lisa Ambros will head up the company’s new Munich operation after the takeover deal was signed last month.

Managing director Ian Whitfield said: “This is an excellent opportunity to put down roots in Germany: it's a big market for us, which this deal secures and offers us the chance to grow.”

He would not disclose staff numbers or turnovers, but said Card Media would keep its name and it would be “business as usual”.

“Our firm had been growing reasonably quickly and I expect that to continue. We now have a good spread – UK, Germany and the US – are happy and growing the business and brand. It's all good and we will see where it takes us.”

Whitfield added: “This year has been all about further growth in international markets and we’re delighted with what we’ve achieved so far.

“Our products are used to help clients create engagement with their marketing, advertising or communications content.”