AN anti-counterfeit business is expanding its work preventing shops from selling fake branded clothing with its latest acquisition.

The Washington business, which mainly works with around 40 governments and 100 firms making passports, concert tickets and national ID cards, is now paying £12.5m for Midlands firm Delta which makes clothing labels designed to ensure shoppers know they are buying the real brand.

OpSec chairman David Mahony said: “We are pleased to announce the proposed acquisition of Delta, which will complement OpSec’s existing brand protection business in the fashion and apparel sector, and which we expect to be earnings enhancing within the first year of its acquisition.”

Delta, which has bases in Tamworth, Staffordshire, and in Hong Kong, supplies leather, printed, woven, PVC and metal labels to the fashion industry.

Its main customers include an international sportswear manufacturer and a high street fashion chain and the company made a operating profit of around £2.2m for the year to the end of December.

OpSec, which has around 85 staff at its Washington head office and 280 globally, said: “Delta has a consistent record of profitability and cash generation and OpSec’s directors believe that Delta will complement OpSec’s existing brand protection business in the fashion and apparel sector.

“The proposed acquisition of Delta will also provide OpSec with a distribution facility in Hong Kong and an opportunity to increase its presence in Asian markets.”