THE former owner of a York laser measurement firm has acquired his first business under his new development and consultancy venture.

Steve Ball, founder of Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL), has set up a Caenby Ltd to invest in technology companies and develop growth strategies with existing management.

The new business, based in Ripon, has recently acquired laser surveying company Co-Ordinated Surveys in Llandudno, Wales.

Co-ordinated Surveys will now undergo a business development programme under Caenby, which will include investing in new 3D mapping technology.

Mr Ball, who founded MDL in 1983, built up the business into a global technology developer and supplier, with offices in York, Melbourne, Ottawa and Houston.

He then went on to sell the large company to Renishaw Plc, about two years ago.

Bryan Edwards, the director of Co-ordinated Surveys, which employs nine staff, said: “We have every confidence that Steve Ball’s flair in laser surveying technology, his eye for market opportunities and our strong surveying and software development skills, will help turn us from a specialist niche company into a far larger one.”