Acountancy specialist Sage just can't get enough. Last month it bought a Malaysian software firm and a Chinese distie, and today it is spending £16m in cash on German management software company Bäurer GmbH.

The deal should close within four weeks. Bäurer sells business management solutions aimed at mid-sized businesses, especially in manufacturing. It has over 2,000 customers and revenues for the year ended 31 December 2005 were £16m.

Sage chief executive Paul Walker said in a statement: "Acquiring Bäurer strengthens our market position in Germany by providing advanced and industry-specific solutions for mid-market customers. Sage's customer service and marketing expertise will enable us to sell more software and services to Bäurer 's customer base."

Sage just loves acquisitions at the moment - in 2005 it bought five companies for a total of £159m. This year it has bought US company Verus for £184m, but was rejected when it made a £334m bid for Scandinavian firm Visma. ®

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