A SUFFOLK call centre and software firm has branched out into the document storage business after buying a company which specialises in archiving and shredding.

IPPlus, based on the Ransomes Europark in Ipswich, has acquired the trade and assets of Ancora Solutions, previously based at Tuddenham.

No jobs have been lost in the deal which involved Ancora moving to Ransomes Europark, creating a combined workforce of 243.

The IPPlus group, which had a turnover of �4.6million last year, now has four divisions which also include Ansaback, a call centre operation, and Callscripter and IP3 Telecom, which both provide software for call centres.

Ancora is an established player in document storage and secure document destruction and its customer base includes leading blue chip companies in the legal, medical, property, and transportation sectors.

Richard Clement, its lead executive director for the past two years, joins IPPlus together with his team of archive specialists.

The acquisition enables IPPlus to venture into private and public sector markets where compliance and regulatory storage is a growing market.

William Catchpole, chief executive of IPPlus, said the deal would create benefits and opportunities.

“The acquisition of Ancora is a significant step for IPPlus. It pushes the group forward into an exciting and complementary arena utilising our existing capabilities and opening new market opportunities,” he said.

IPPlus was advised on the acquisition by Keith Ferguson and Daniel Dickson of accountancy firm PKF and Petra Sharp of Ashton Graham Solicitors.

Mr Ferguson said: “We are delighted to complete this deal as it realises the ambition of both parties. Although diverse, the companies complement each other well, which should lead to strong growth in the future.”