The two Japanese manufacturers are existing partners and Riso already uses Toshiba Tec printheads.

Riso Kagaku Corporation (RKC) president and CEO Akira Hayama described the deal as a large investment that would go down in the firm’s history.

He said: “I am very excited about this merger and look forward to the various new opportunities that it will bring for the Riso group.”

Hayama noted that the newly added precision parts business would enable Riso “to expand the ranges of our original technology and business”.

“We will challenge and accomplish our new business plan by combining these new and present technologies,” he stated.

Around 200 employees will join Riso as a result of the deal, which also involves additional R&D and production sites in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The official transfer of operations will be in July.

Riso is known for its range of high-speed, cost-effective inkjet printing devices across its ComColor and Valezus product ranges.

Toshiba Tec's inkjet head technologies are currently used for a range of industrial printing applications including wide-format, labels, packaging and corrugated printing.

Riso UK managing director Tatsuo Murakami commented: “We are already using Toshiba heads and RKC wanted secure the source of our heads. Also, RKC is expecting to secure quality of print heads and improve the efficiency of its production by this purchase. 

“This big investment was decided based upon our expectation of growing our future inkjet business, which is a trend we have already seen over the last years. I am not expecting an immediate effect on Riso UK business, however in the long term I am expecting that this new business will help develop new inkjet heads to enhance our product range.”

Riso said the deal would help it to achieve its ‘Vision 25’ goals, which include expanding its inkjet business.