The Agfa-Gevaert Group has announced it will acquire Inca Digital Printers, a Cambridge, UK based developer and manufacturer of advanced inkjet printing and production technologies for sign and display applications as well as packaging, currently owned by Screen of Japan with worldwide sales handled by Fujifilm.
An Inca Digital Onset X3 with ABB robotic load/unload - as used by IVE via Active Displays acquisition
In an Agfa company press release, no mention is made of the seller - Screen - or the existing distribution and ink arrangement with Fujifilm, who has responded by immediately announcing a cessation of its reseller agreement with Inca. Agfa's release reads:
“The acquisition strengthens Agfa’s position in high-speed digital printing and brings an additional focus on packaging printing markets."
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| Agfa President & CEO Pascal Juéry |
Pascal Juéry, president and CEO of the Agfa-Gevaert Group said: “The Inca acquisition is a major step in Agfa’s transformation. Digital printing is a profitable growth engine for the Group with a tremendous potential that will be further accelerated by the addition of Inca.”
The deal is subject to customary conditions and approvals.
“Inca Digital Printers is a Cambridge UK based leading developer and manufacturer of advanced high-speed printing and production technologies for sign and display applications as well as for the rapidly growing digital printing market for packaging,” said a press release. “Inca is an ideal partner for Agfa, bringing a complementary portfolio of printing solutions of the highest standard and a strong technological platform to launch robust single pass printing presses for the packaging market.
“The acquisition encompasses the portfolio of existing high speed multi pass printers, including a strong service organization; a newly designed line of single pass printers for several packaging applications as well as a joint development of a customized in-line Print Engine in collaboration with leading corrugator manufacturer BHS Corrugated.”
Stephen Tunnicliffe-Wilson, CEO/CTO of Inca Digital Printers Ltd said: “The acquisition by Agfa allows us to combine our technological know-how and will enable us to become a leading digital packaging press manufacturer worldwide. Our new parent has shown long term commitment to the digital printing market and we are extremely proud and look forward to becoming part of the Agfa family.”
Vincent Wille, president of Agfa’s Digital Print & Chemicals division: “The combination of Inca Digital’s manufacturing knowhow and Agfa’s technical expertise, worldwide presence and excellent service networks will allow us to bring unparalleled printing solutions to our customers and to adapt seamlessly to their needs in this rapidly evolving space. This investment leverages and strengthens our position in the high-end and high-speed wide format market as a whole and specifically in the promising packaging segment.”
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is a leading company in imaging technology and IT solutions with over 150 years of experience. The Group holds four divisions: Radiology Solutions, HealthCare IT, Digital Print & Chemicals and Offset Solutions. They develop, manufacture and market analogue and digital systems for the healthcare sector, for specific industrial applications and for the printing industry. In 2021, the Group reported a turnover of 1,760 million Euro.
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Screen Holdings, a Nikkei 200 listed company, has released its own version:
Kyoto, Japan – April 20, 2022 – SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd. hereby announces the signing of a share transfer agreement between SCREEN Holdings Group company SCREEN Graphic Solutions Co., Ltd. (SCREEN GA) and Belgium-based Agfa-Gevaert N.V., under which all shares of SCREEN Graphic Solutions Co., Ltd.’s wholly owned subsidiaries Inca Digital Printers Ltd. (UK) and SCREEN GP IJC Ltd. (UK), as well as its Inca Digital Printers Ltd.-related services business in the US will be transferred to Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
Going forward, SCREEN GA will continue to enhance its corporate value by accelerating growth in the digital printing fields of transaction / direct mail, publishing printing, commercial printing, flexible packaging as well as labels, and exerting synergistic effects with the recurring business.
1. Subject to transfer
Share transfer
Business transfer
Inca Digital Printers Ltd.-related services business in the US under the control of SCREEN GP AMERICAS, LLC
2. Overview of transferee
3. Transfer price
Not disclosed
4. Schedule
Final agreement assignment on April 19, 2022
Completion of transfer at the end of May 2022 (planned)
