The acquisition, in which GMG will introduce CWS to its customer base, is not a growth strategy, according to GMG UK managing director Ian Scott.

"The marketplace is looking for more integration, more efficient ways of processing files, images and proofing. Today our clients want colour control to be incorporated into every part of the workflow and CWS complements our solutions with its considerable integration expertise," said Scott.

"A particular workflow is something we would have traditionally farmed out to a partner anyway, an expert in the field. The acquisition is a strategy to augment our skill set."

Workflow, digital asset management and IT solutions provider CWS will remain an independent legal entity but as part of the GMG group.

Scott added: "We will fund growth and any support CWS requires, but at the end of the day, they are still the independent company they were last week."

CWS managing director Marcus Wright is hoping the acquisition will help the business produce more innovative products and welcomed the financial security.

Wright said: "Being able to integrate ColorServer into these sorts of technologies is a real step forward for the industry. We bring a lot of integration experience with us."

"Our clients will benefit from an expanded set of skills and technologies seamlessly integrated to give them maximum efficiency and quality."