It paid 145,000 as a mixture of cash and shares, with further cash payments over the next three years dependent on performance.

We approached Warren (Tayler, executive chairman of ControlP) two months ago, said TripleArc chief operations officer Jason Cromack.

The process speeded up when we heard about Printchannel, added Tayler. The merger gives an edge to home-grown UK products, security and long-term investment. Its a good base to grow on.

Both firms print e-commerce products will be combined to create a range for printers, print brokers and corporates.

TripleArc and ControlP came up against each other in the market, said Tayler. There was a lot of confusion in the market about the products.

The new firm will employ 26 staff and be based in TripleArcs Marylebone offices.

Documedia will be able to sell the entire TripleArc product range to its clients.

According to both firms customers have reacted positively to the news.

A lot of ControlPs customers are interested in TripleArcs JDF-based tools, said ControlP general manager Daniel Emerson.

Story by Barney Cox