The merger is expected to be completed next month and will create one the three largest ink companies in Europe, Flint-Schmidt, with a turnover in the region of 275m.

Flint Ink Europe president Jim Mahoney will become chief executive officer for Flint-Schmidt, while Gebrder Schmidt managing director Helmut Schmidt will become the new companys chief operating officer.

Mahoney said: This agreement will strengthen Flint Inks penetration into Europe in keeping with our global growth objectives. It will also make us more attractive to our global customers.

Schmidt said that customers would benefit because the companies could combine and create a wider spectrum of products and services.