The acquisition will strengthen Bilendi’s position in the UK, France and Germany, as well as access to Respondi’s online panels. Terms of the acquisition has not been disclosed.

Bilendi also said the acquisition, which will be completed in the coming weeks, would increase its growth potential in new markets and help set up a strategy to develop technology for its customers.

Respondi was set up in 2005 in Cologne, Germany, and has a team of 80 staff focused on data collection across Germany, France and the UK. The company has 450,000 active panellists across Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.

Bilendi is a data usage, collection and management business operating in France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Morocco, Austria and Norway.

Marc Bidou, chairman and chief executive at Bilendi, said: “We are very happy and proud to welcome Respondi to the Bilendi group.

“The two groups have similar cultures and share the same values: constantly striving for the highest quality of service for our clients while maintaining the integrity of and respect for our panel members.”

Dr Otto Hellwig, chief executive at Respondi, said: “We are delighted with this merger, which allows us to join one of the leading players in research technology and data in Europe, with strong growth and high ambitions.”