German optical print measurement company Intro International has been acquired by QI Press Controls, less than two years after a similar deal brought EAE into the Dutch-based group's stable.

The acquisition takes QI further into the growing labelling and packaging market, with Intro's Sascha Eschweiler staying with the company. QI has acquired the assets and IP of the family business, which is focussed has a greater focus on narrow web presses and digital printing.

QI Director Menno Jansen says the aim is now to expand into digital printing, and the labelling and packaging: "Their optical measurement systems are a perfect match for our own products," he says.

"By furthering the development of their products through our own R&D team, we can bring about greater synergy."

Intro International products will now be offered under the QIPC-Intro brand.

The twio companies have been in contact since 2013. "The relationship goes back some way, and has always been good. Now it's crystallised into something more tangible," says Eschweiler.

"I see great potential in raising our products to a new level backed by the support and know-how QIPC and EAE. We will certainly benefit enormously from their global sales and service network in increasing the reach of our products."

Jansen (pictured right with Eschweile) says the acquisition means QI now takes responsibility for a larger share of the production process: "This joining of forces offers customers convenience and, as such, the three companies can capitalise collectively on their individual strengths."