A North Yorkshire cable and pipe fixings manufacturer has secured dozens of rural jobs after acquiring one of its main international competitors.

Bosses at Ellis Patents, of Rillington, near Malton, hope for a prosperous future following the acquisition of EDL Cable Supports, of Staffordshire, which gives them the largest single-source product range in the world.

Ellis Patents, which has 40 staff, supplies electrical utilities and power generation, shipping and marine, distribution, oil and gas and construction businesses in the UK and overseas. The deal has been completed for an undisclosed sum.

The EDL Cable Supports name, finances and product range has been taken over by Ellis Patents and its base in Rugeley, Staffordshire, closed at the end of last month.

Ellis Patents managing director Richard Shaw said: "This acquisition of our one of our main competitors is a significant deal for our industry, our future, our workforce and our independent shareholders. The acquisition is good news for North Yorkshire's rural economy. It secures jobs at Ellis Patents and creates a strong platform for further expansion."

Ellis Patents has expanded steadily in the past 25 years and carries out injection moulding, tool making and assembly, as well as stockholding and specialist packing at its Rillington site.

The former owner and managing director of EDL Cable Supports, Michael Bill, is joining Ellis Patents as a consultant to help the company complete the integration and prepare for the next stage in its growth.