The two companies have worked together for the past 13 years under a joint technical and marketing agreement, during which time Kolbus UK has distributed Sigloch  book binding lines.

However, the retirement of owner Helmut Sigloch, whose father started the company after World War II, has led to a buy-out of the business.

Sigloch’s facility will be moved to a nearby Kolbus site, but all jobs will be retained.

Kolbus UK managing director Robert Flather said that for UK users of Sigloch equipment, it would be a case of "business as usual" and that the company would continue to support all Sigloch products.