Supplier News

Danaher to Acquire EskoArtwork
GENT, Belgium—EskoArtwork announced that its shareholder, the Danish investment group Axcel, has entered into a definitive Sales Purchase Agreement with the U.S. industrial company Danaher for the acquisition of 100 percent of the shares in EskoArtwork for 350 million Euros. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary approvals and is foreseen to be concluded within the first half of 2011.

Danaher is a diversified technology leader that designs, manufactures, and markets products and services to professional, medical, industrial, and commercial customers. Upon closing of the acquisition, the EskoArtwork business will become a part of Danaher’s Product Identification platform.

“We have been extremely satisfied with our investment in EskoArtwork,” says Sigurd Lilienfeldt, partner at Axcel and responsible for the investment in EskoArtwork. “During Axcel’s ownership, EskoArtwork has repositioned itself into a world leading company within its field. This is not only due to the merger with Artwork Systems, but also because of significant R&D investments leading to a range of new leading edge solutions. This innovation capacity of EskoArtwork has been instrumental for the impressive EBITDA growth during our ownership leading to this very successful exit for Axcel.”

“Esko has a leading market position, great products, and a strong team who we are counting on to drive future growth” said Matt Trerotola, vice president and group executive of product identification.

Carsten Knudsen, CEO of EskoArtwork, says: “This is an important and very positive step in the continued development of the company. I and the entire management team are excited to see Danaher’s strategic interest to acquire the company and develop EskoArtwork as an autonomous business. We see this as a vote of confidence in our strategy and a strong belief in our ability to continue to grow in the future.”

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