PPB supplies materials to the screen and digital large-format and industrial plastics markets. NE Plastics is a well-known flat-sheet plastic supplier and bespoke fabrication specialist.

The deal, which was completed on 1 March, takes the combined group turnover to over £30m and staff headcount to almost 100. PPB is one of the UK's biggest independent POS distributors, supplying print substrates for 40 years.

PPB director Richard Proctor said the south of England was an important growth region for his company, which is based in Thurrock, Essex, and has a Leeds depot. NE Plastics is based in Sidcup, Kent.

All 21 staff at NE Plastics will continue to work from the Sidcup warehouse and there were no plans to change the name. NE Plastics managing director Nick Warne also remains with the business.

Proctor said: “We approached Nick wanting to grow our business and are now looking at our synergies. There are opportunities to expand our customer base and reach in terms of distribution.”

“The purchase of NE Plastics will introduce both NE Plastics' and PPB’s customers to new products, new services and further business opportunities.”

Both companies specialise in fabrication, cutting and other finishing processes of plastics and boards. The deal will enable PPB to expand plastic sales in south London.

Proctor added: “This acquisition will allow customers to benefit from a wider choice of products and services, including conversion facilities.

“Stock levels and servicing will be enhanced by our national distribution network serviced by a new fleet of vehicles.

“It is business as usual, but with the ongoing security of dealing with a larger scale business that is investing in this growing sector.”

NE Plastics' Warne said: “The purchase of NE Plastics is a very strong signal for continuity and an additional reason for confidence in us as a supply partner.”