Swindon-based newspaper and magazine wholesaler Smiths News has taken over rival Dawson for £20m in a move that could see hundreds of the book distributor's staff relocating to Swindon.
Smiths News, which split from the WH Smith retail group in 2006, said the acquisition would immediately boost its earnings even before duplication costs are cut.
The firm plans to transfer Dawson Media Direct's financial support functions in Northamptonshire to Swindon or Bradford.
Dawson's Epsom head office will close.
Dawson's largest trading division Dawson Books supplies 80% of the country's universities and will provide an established e-book platform for Smiths' own book wholesaler Bertrams.
The acquisition will also help Smiths and its subsidiaries tap into new markets including universities and airlines.
Smiths News chief executive Mark Cashmore said the deal "represents an excellent opportunity to strengthen one of our core businesses".
He added: "The transaction creates immediate value for our shareholders while we continue to focus on our long-term strategy to diversify revenues a
