Belgium-headquartered Summa manufactures a range of vinyl and contouring cutting systems under its SummaCut brand, while CCT specialises in laser cutting systems for a variety of markets including dye-sub printed fabric and textiles, reverse appliqué, plastics, stationery, rubber stamps and die-cutting.

It also makes bespoke systems.

Summa chief executive Erwin Vandousselaere said the acquisition of CCT was a “milestone” for the growing business, and praised CCT’s expertise and track record of innovation.

“The complementarity with Summa is remarkable… Together we will be stronger to achieve further growth.”

Summa said that the intention was to add “a cutting-edge laser product line” to its own portfolio.

CCT was founded in 1985 by John Bell, who said the two companies had a long track record of collaboration, with CCT using Summa’s controllers and Summa using CCT software.

“We’ve done R&D together for 30 years. Summa are world leaders in knife cutting and we are world leaders in laser cutting, so you can see that the link makes sense,” he said.

Bell has remained with the business as a consultant.

The deal also includes CCT subsidiary GS, which sells industrial and domestic embroidery systems and associated products.

Turnover and employee figures were not disclosed.