The announcement will see Pira International trade, which was the subject of an EMBO in 2000, as A provider of Ciba Expert Services. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Swiss firm Ciba is a specialist manufacturer of chemicals to produce high-value effects for end products.

It had sales of 2.8bn (CHF6.6bn) in 2003 and spent more than 121.7m last year on research and development.

Its main products for graphic arts include the Colibri Quickmatch and Colibri QualityControl high-end software products for professional colour matching.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals chairman and chief executive officer Armin Meyer said: This is a focused transaction that fits well with our strategy of building on our core competencies and our opportunities for profitable growth.

The acquisition of Pira International means that together we are creating a global service platform that has the expertise and experience to support and service the entire value chain in the packaging, paper, printing and publishing sectors.

Pira International has 140 staff at its Leatherhead base and has been looking for a buyer for the 7m freehold site for some time.

It has already lodged a planning application with the local authorities to redevelop its 7,400m2 site, Piras home for the past 70 years, following a reported 1.6m deficit last year and a legal requirement to plug a hole in its pension fund.

Pira International managing director Mike Hancock has now joined the management team of Cibas Expert Services Unit, headed by Adrian Knott.

Hancock said: Becoming part of the Ciba organisation offers us the opportunity to fully utilise our knowledge and new opportunities for growth across all our products and services.

Story by Tony Brown