Building systems and software development group Eleco plc has bought Leonardo Internet Ltd for £200,000 cash.

Leonardo Internet, which provides integrated new media and print design solutions with a number of clients from the building and construction industry, is the fourth member of the expanding Eleco construction IT division.

The rapid growth of the Eleco group’s software business is down to executive chairman John Ketteley. When he took up the post in 1997 the only products manufactured in the Eleco group that were supported by software applications were nail plates produced by Gang-Nail Systems.

As Eleco’s financial position improved, it increased the application of software and internet solutions to its own manufacturing, engineering and design processes across the group.

Mr Ketteley believes that the increasing use of software applications has made a significant contribution to the improvement of Eleco’s performance and finances over the past five years. And the company’s policy is very much in tune with the government’s policy of encouraging the increasing use of software applications to improve productivity in the construction industry.

Leonardo Internet’s services include website design, intranet solutions, website and email hosting, virus protection and website promotion, as well as more traditional printed design services.

&#8220Leonardo Internet’s activities and skills base are complementary to those of our creative technology subsidiary, Forma Communications.”

John Ketteley, Eleco executive chairman.

Mr Ketteley said: “Leonardo Internet’s activities and skills base are complementary to those of our creative technology subsidiary, Forma Communications.