LAW firm Watson Burton has advised American security technology business Federal Signal Corporation (FSC) on the $115m acquisition of two companies.

The company, which has its North-East base in Newcastle, helped FSC purchase PIPS Technology Limited, of Eastleigh, Hampshire, and its sister firm, PIPS Technology Inc, of Knoxville, Tennessee, both sales completed last month.

They marked another success for Watson Burton, in Newcastle, which recently revealed an increased annual turnover of £22.7m for the year ending April 30 after two years of investment and expansion.

PIPS Technology makes automatic number plate recognition systems and was awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2005 for its automated number plate capture and analysis.

FSC is expanding its security services worldwide in the field of safety, signalling and communications equipment.

Gillian Hall, head of corporate law at Watson Burton, and corporate associate Robin Adams worked on the transatlantic transactions.

Ms Hall said: "We worked simultaneously on the purchase of both British and American PIPS companies on behalf of FSC. It required a tightly co-ordinated approach, which led to a successful deal completed in August."

The transaction has strengthened FSC's position globally and immediately added value to its shares."

Paul Henry, FSC's inside counsel, said: "Watson Burton's quick responses and detailed knowledge helped the deal progress extremely well. Gillian Hall and her colleagues were important, valued members of our team."

During the past year, each of Watson Burton's major departments recorded growth for the fourth consecutive year, with the employment division's revenue rising by 42 per cent, property by 21 per cent, corporate by 12 per cent, and construction by 18 per cent.

It became the first North-East law firm to create a permanent presence in the Capital by opening an office in the City in October, and saw a record number of solicitors promoted to partner and associate level.