MCKINNON and Clarke, a utility cost control company with offices in Sittingbourne, has linked up with an American firm.

The deal with Cost Control Associates (CCA) will offer transatlantic sales opportunities but allow both to retain their identities.

The three-year agreement gives CCA a licence to use McKinnon and Clarke's energy management software.

The company analyses expenditure on a range of utility purchases, including gas, electricity, water and telecommunications.

McKinnon and Clarke chairman Sandy McKinnon said the link-up presented a tremendous opportunity for both firms.

"Our unique software can be customised to accommodate any energy market around the world, and now that Cost Control Associates will be using it, our systems will be more aligned and we will be better able to share information to the benefit of our customers."

Keith Laake, CCA president, said: "I fully believe that both companies customers will benefit from the parallel systems, with information able to be passed between the companies easily in order to provide a truly global service."

McKinnon and Clarke operates from Sittingbourne, Dunfermline, Stockport, Bristol and a number of overseas locations. It employs 264 worldwide.