BOULDER - DEUS Rescue, a company that sells a descent braking device for climbers, acquired its partner company VR-Tec GmbH in Germany for an undisclosed sum.

Boulder-based Spidescape Products Inc., which goes by the trade name DEUS Rescue, has 10 employees and plans to hire a few more as a result of the acquisition, said company spokesman Jim Tabaczynski.

Firefighters and cellphone tower repair workers are among those who use the safety devices, Tabaczynski said.

The purchase helps DEUS remain cost-competitive, said Shain Rae, chief executive, in a press statement. DEUS plans to expand its distribution network in Europe, the Middle East, Russia and Asia, Rae said.

"This acquisition enables us to combine the engineering and manufacturing capabilities of VR-Tec with DEUS Rescue's product development talents and extensive market knowledge," Rae said.

VR-Tec has been a joint venture partner of DEUS Rescue since 2008. The German company manufacturers the descent braking devices. DEUS Rescue was formed in 2004 in Boulder.