MARKETING and communications specialist SNS Group has expanded with the acquisition of Warman & Bannister in Cambridge and Eindhoven. SNS, which employs 75 staff and also has offices in Lordswood, Chatham and Leatherhead, is now one of Europe's largest independent marketing services groups specialising in the business to business sector.

Turnover for the SNS Group in 2002 is expected to exceed £9 million. Services include PR, advertising, design, new media, exhibition and event management. The deal brings Warman & Bannister's clients - including Philips Semiconductors, Philips Medical Systems and Linx Printing Technologies into the SNS portfolio. Among existing clients are Cadence Design Systems, Altera and Regent Associates.

Warman & Bannister was named the UK's best performing PR consultancy in 1999 and 2000 by PR Week. Len Scannell, SNS Group chairman said: "By joining forces with W&B, we have significantly strengthened the SNS Group. "There is great synergy between the businesses and people.As a bigger group, we can give our clients access to a broader range of services, skills and expertise."