The companies will continue to trade under their own names and from their own premises, although plans to integrate them are at an early stage. Both will be able to offer the others product range.
Ultrachem managing director Tony Brinton said the acquisition made perfect sense for both organisations.
The two companies will draw on each others strengths and give the printer a nationwide, high-quality and competitive consumables supply option, said Brinton.
Keane Graphic Products managing director Eric Keane has joined the Huber Group as key account director and will oversee the integration of the UK Hostmann Steinberg business into Ultrachem.
As far as the customers of both companies are concerned its business as usual. Theres no duplication the companies complement each other very well, said Keane.
He said there would further efficiencies through Ultrachems national delivery service.
Ultrachem, which made a pre-tax profit of 624,000 on a turnover of 14.4m in the year to March 2002, has sites in London, Nottingham and Leeds.
In the year to April 2002 Keane Graphic Products, which is based in Ashford, made a pre-tax loss of 80,348 on undisclosed sales. In 2001 it reported a turnover of 7.13m.
Story by John Davies
