It paid 6.3m ($10.6m) for the Massachusetts-based ICC colour management software development firm.

The firms already had a relationship and X-Rite was bundling Monaco software with its spectrophotometers.

Monaco founder George Adam is among the staff joining X-Rite.

We look forward to providing and developing solutions for new customer markets within the graphic arts, imaging and photo industries, said X-Rite president Michael Ferrara.

X-Rite and Monaco distributor NCS Integrated Solutions has welcomed the move in the UK. NCS managing director Roger Stockdale said: Its business as usual, weve been told they will merge R&D which will be good. Colour management is one of our biggest growth areas.

Geoff Balfour, X-Rite's managing director for northern Europe, added: It strengthens the relationship between us. Were not structured to sell and consult in colour management. NCS provides colour management consultancy from monitor to press, thats the infrastructure needed.

Others in the colour management sector have welcomed the news as necessary consolidation in an overcrowded niche market.

Story by Barney Cox