THE future of one of Weymouth's biggest employers has been secured after it was sold a year after being put on the market.

Electronics firm DEK, which employs more than 300 people on the Granby Industrial Estate, will continue to trade in the town after the takeover.

Equipment supplier ASM Pacific Technology (ASM PT), which is listed in Hong Kong and has offices across The world, has entered into an agreement to buy the firm.

It is understood that DEK's employees, locations and full management team, will become part of ASM PT's business segment.

David Mudge, group human resources manager, said the sale could take up to six months to complete.

It comes a year after DEK was put up for sale by Illinois-based owners the Dover Corporation.

A statement made at the time said that the company wanted to strip certain 'non-core' businesses which serve the electronic assembly and test markets, including DEK.

DEK CEO Michael Brianda said the move will 'protect the future' of the team.

He said: “This next step in DEK's development is very positive for our entire organisation.

“While protecting the future of the DEK team, the new ownership also opens countless opportunities for integrated SMT technology development to further advance electronics production capabilities.”

He added: “With the support of ASM PT, a global electronics leader that understands the dynamics of the markets DEK serves, we firmly believe this new ownership will enable even greater future success for DEK and our customers.”

Mr Mudge said it is a 'positive way forward'.

He said: “We were obviously disappointed that Dover took the decision to divest the business but it's not a decision we were able to influence.

“But now we are very pleased a new investor has been found and very pleased with the opportunities it presents to the business as a whole and the long-term prosperity it will bring.”

DEK has been owned by the Dover Corporation since 1985.

Mickey Jones, of DJ Property, said he was pleased to hear the business would be continuing in Weymouth.

The property firm leases a building to DEK on Avon Close but not their headquarters on Albany Road.

He said: “It's unusual to have a business of DEK's size and standing in technology in Weymouth and it's here for historical reasons in that it was founded here and has grown here.

“If a business like that was started today, it would probably be based elsewhere, so it's good that we've got it and even better that we stand to keep it.”