Warrington-based Volex (www.volex.com), which makes cables for the telecoms industry, plus power tools, computers, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and other consumer goods, is to acquire Slovakian firm Silcotec Europe in a deal worth £15 million.

The latter manufacturers cable harnesses and electronic sub-assemblies for the medical, telecoms and computer industries.

It has 160 employees in a factory in Slovakia, with customer service and finance personnel based in Ireland.

Nat Rothschild, executive chairman of Volex, said: “This acquisition is an important step in expanding our cable assembly activities in Europe.

“Silcotec is a well-run business, providing high-quality cables, assemblies and box-builds for the medical industry.”

Volex says it has been consolidating by acquiring smaller competitors, so it can make savings in group-wide procurement and through more-efficient sales and operations.

In April, it announced the acquisition of MC Electronics LLC, a US-based manufacturer of customised complex medical and industrial cables, wire harnesses and electro-mechanical assemblies for medical and industrial applications.