A Derby technology firm which provides emergency communication systems for people with sensory and physical disabilities has been taken over by a Swedish firm.

Alerter Group, which is headquartered in Burton Road, has been bought by Sdiptech AB, which is based in Stockholm.

Founded by chairman Steve Haseldine, Alerter has developed a range of products which can potentially save lives.

It specialises in developing products which give people with sensory and physical disabilities, alerts and a means of communication in the event of an evacuation emergency.

Its Deaf Alerter system provides personal and portable alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, instantly alerting them of the need to evacuate the building.

And its Refuge Alerter product is a radio-based system providing a vital line of communication with emergency services for people with disabilities who are sheltering in a designated refuge area during a building evacuation.

The company has also developed other adaptable radio-based communication systems for high-risk workplaces.

Today, its systems are fitted in public and private buildings across the UK and Ireland.

Now, under the ownership of Sdiptech, the aim will be to win a larger share of the European market.

Jakob Holm, chief executive of Sdiptech, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Alerter Group to Sdiptech.

“By using their unique radio-based systems, that send out emergency messages and communications, their products give disabled people the same opportunities to get out of a building as everyone else – and by doing so, they can save lives.

“We look forward to continuing to develop the company together with the Haseldine family and the entire team at Alerter Group.

“High quality and reliable fire alarm systems are essential for societies today.”

The transaction was led by Andrew Shepperd, director at Entrepreneurs Hub, a corporate finance company, which works with business owners to buy, grow, prepare and sell businesses.

He said: “This is another great pleasure, to support a talented family of entrepreneurial engineers who are bringing equal opportunities to life for disabled people in all aspects of life, including work and academia.

“Areas where the expansion of safer study and working environments by enhanced emergency notification allows ever increasing opportunities to maximise participation and contribution.

“This acquisition provides Alerter with a platform that can expand their offerings and serve new markets internationally, as well as in the UK.”

Mr Haseldine said: “We were really pleased with the way in which Andrew and his team at Entrepreneurs Hub, steered us through the sales process and found an acquirer who had a similar caring outlook with regards equality for people with disabilities.

“We look forward to the increased penetration of Alerter Group products in both the UK and European markets.”