GSM Group, the huge North Yorkshire-based manufacturer of labels, nameplates and fascia products has acquired the manufacturing business of one of its longest-established competitors.

Sixty-year-old Abbot Brown Ltd of Beaminster, Dorset, is to close down following an unsuccessful two-year search for a suitable alternative manufacturing site that would allow it to stay in Dorset.

Now GSM has bought its manufacturing assets from parent company Helix Industries of Yorkshire.

The acquisition will mean a £2 million boost in GSM's £20 million turnover and the creation of 28 jobs at Thirsk and at the former Farnell Electronics plant, in Wetherby.

This is the group's tenth acquisition in 12 years and GSM now has five manufacturing plants in the UK, including Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Wales

Group chief executive Barry Dodd, who is vice-chairman of York-based Business Link, said: "We think that Yorkshire is the best region in the UK in which to expand our manufacturing operations.

"The airport and road infra-structure is improving all the time. Sites are readily available and the commitment and flexibility of our teams is second to none."

Updated: 11:15 Wednesday, September 15, 2004