DSN, whose clients include Mars and Unilever, handles artwork and pre-press activities for its clients in six bases across Europe, with a UK presence in Poole, Dorset, said UK sales director Donovan Parr. The business has a turnover of €32m (£27m) and employs 320 staff globally.

Meanwhile, €5m (£4.2m) Design Board International focuses on fast moving consumer goods markets in four regions, Belgium, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Egypt. Clients for the 65-staff company include Procter & Gamble, The Coca-Cola Company Europe, Bacardi-Martini, Mondelez, McCain Continental Europe and Kingfisher.

Parr said: "We have significant creative resources but as with any company your client base is as good as the business you win and there are many synergies between the two companies in areas such culture and geographical spread.

"It also offers clients a complete process from the conceptual idea to management of the final printed product. Not everybody wants that, but there are a growing number of people who see the benefits of all the eggs in one basket."

Parr said both companies would retain their separate names and clients but come under the same holding company owned by DSN.

In May this year the management team of De Schutter Neroc (DSN) concluded an MBO for an undisclosed sum and said it was eyeing growth across the UK.

Parr said the latest acquisition would enable DSN to focus on continued growth by expanding its scope of services, offering a one-stop-shop to offer a more comprehensive service, and bolstering its pool of creative expertise.

"By adding this significant resource to our existing creative division we can add additional scope and multi-site capacity. This will bring greater added value to our clients and strengthen our position in the markets we serve."

DSN comprises of three divisions: DSN pre-press packaging, TGS brand management services and 360 BPM, a creative communication design agency.