Alistair McIntosh, based in Normanton, had been mentioned as a possible takeover target last month after Communisis paid 42m for Centurion Press (PrintWeek, 24 May).

The acquisition is the third major deal in the print management sector in the past 18 months; Astrons merger with Tactica Solutions in December 2000 was the other.

Williams Leas sales will rise to over 200m through the acquisition, making it the largest player in the sector.

Chief executive Tim Griffiths said Williams Lea had conducted extensive research within the print management industry and that it had bought the quality performer in the UK today.

Steven Oates, Alistair McIntoshs managing director, said he had been determined not to sell the business to an organisation where we felt there would be a risk of compromising the independence of our procurement strategy.

Alistair McIntoshs clients include HBOS, Asda and Barclays.