A FORTY-year-old Dorset business which makes sticky labels has been taking over by an Austrian packaging firm.

Blandford-based Amberley Adhesive Labels Ltd was taken over by Coveris for an undisclosed amount.

Coveris will incorporate the Dorset business into its labels and board division and says it intends to invest in the operation.

Trevor Smith, owner and chief executive of Amberley, said: "With Coveris we found the right partner for a strong future. Together we will leverage off Coveris labels know-how and resources to take our business to next level.”

Coveris chief executive Jakob Mosser said: "Introducing our Coveris strategy, we clearly committed ourselves to invest and grow our business in high potential areas.

“The acquisition of Amberley clearly underpins this endeavour. We are very much looking forward to a successful expansion of our labels capabilities and further develop the potential of our new facility.”

Coveris’ labels business focuses on the food sector, while Amberley caters for the personal care and home markets. The Dorset business also has extensive digital printing capabilities.

Dennis Patterson, president of the labels and board business at Coveris, said: "Amberley is a successful business with a proven track-record with a clear focus on providing bespoke high-quality solutions to its customers and is the perfect addition for Coveris to broaden its market presence in the labels business.”