A MARKETING distribution firm has been sold by a European firm to create a £250m giant.

Mda, which has East Lancashire bases on Walker Park and Mill Hill, has been bought out by French fulfilment business Staci, creating the first pan-European business for brands and retailers.

The firm, which employs 350 people and has a turnover of £50million, has been in business for over 30 years and has five fulfilment centres with nearly one million square feet of storage space.

Mda is charged with creating, storing, distributing and activating point of sale and marketing materials for the worlds biggest brands including Heineken, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Diageo and Mercedes-Benz, and now becomes part of a firm with operations across France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Poland, BeNeLux and now the UKc.,vld;sfk

Wayne Chapman, mda managing director, said: "This is genuinely fantastic news for our clients and teams and we’re extremely excited about the years ahead because it’s going to help continue the incredible growth we’ve experienced over the last five years.

We’ve operated from the UK for 30 years, but in the last 24 months we’ve seen clients desire to operate facilities in multiple European territories under a single contract significantly increase.

"This acquisition means for the first time ever the world’s biggest brands can start to manage complex marketing distribution across Europe, and having presence in all key territories is absolutely vital to that. We couldn’t be happier that we’re a part of it.

"Mda wasn’t up for sale, but Staci recognised the fantastic service and value we deliver and the fit between both companies really is perfect.

"This is going to create a lot of opportunities for growth and learning for existing and prospective team members and clients in the UK and Europe."

Staci ceo Thomas Mortier said: "Given the similarity of our international clients in the food, automotive, mobile telephony and retail sectors among others, this acquisition presents strong synergies in Europe and enables us to strengthen our presence in the United Kingdom."