Blue Tesla became part of Modus on 1 July and was subsequently rebranded Modus Digital. The company’s founder, Ray Gillespie, has joined the Modus board.

The new division has already recruited an additional web developer to Modus Digital, and as a result of the merger, Modus will look to build its mobile web and app business.

"This acquisition will enable us to focus much more, having your own team of developers is one thing, but having someone to take control and drive it forward is critical," said Modus Creative director Guy Marson.

The 19-staff, £1.2m-turnover company has already won some "robust" contracts to develop some apps for a number of undisclosed universities.

"As far as we’re concerned the world is turning digital, but we’re still great believers in ink on paper. Being able to go to clients with a proper digital offering enables us to go to some that we wouldn’t perhaps ordinarily be able to, and that in turn becomes interesting because we can talk about design and print," said Marson.

As part of the growth strategy to double in size, John Keane, previously regional head of agency sales at Clear Channel, joined the company late last year as group sales and marketing director.

The company, which is also a Printing.com franchise, is also in the process of moving its print operation to a new site in Worcester city centre, while maintaining its current city centre premises for the design team. The additional site will give the company the physical space to add the capacity to grow the business, said Marson.

"It’s also a more accessible site for clients, with parking, so it will help us to reach out to more walk-in business," he added.

"Ultimately, the ambition is to seek two more locations, within a 12- to 15-mile radius, and run this as a digital print hub, because we need to deliver same-day digital."