Mergers, acquisitions and alliances from around the world: 17 January 2012

This week’s M&A activity is headed by the consolidation of Goss International’s France operations, plus EFI’s entry into the digital ceramic printing market.


Goss International merges France operations
The equipment manufacturer merged two of its operations in France into a single corporate entity on 1 January, in a bid to enhance its customer support base in Europe.

The newly formed Goss International France is comprised of the former Goss International Montataire, S.A. and Goss Systemes Graphiques Nantes, S.A.S. legal entities.

According to Jochen Meissner, Goss International CEO, the merger of its France operations was a natural progression for the company, one that will increase transparency for its customers.

“We continue to provide printers and publishers with a unique combination of local responsiveness and a worldwide manufacturing platform, including major press and auxiliary manufacturing operations in Europe,” he says.

The company maintains that the operational shift will not impact capabilities or the size of the workforce at the major European facilities that Goss International maintains in Nantes and Montataire, France as well as Preston, England and Boxmeer, The Netherlands.

Goss’ France-based facility in Montataire manufacturers the company’s M-600, Sunday 5000, and Sunday 4000 commercial web presses as well as Colorliner, Uniliner and Universal newspaper press models. While the Nantes facility maintains responsibility for engineering and service for the above mentioned newspaper press models.


EFI all fired up about ceramic inkjet printing

The acquisition of Cretaprint for around $31 million has marked EFI’s entry into the digital ceramic printing market, a sector rapidly moving towards inkjet.

EFI is expecting the newly acquired company to contribute five to seven percent to its 2012 revenue. The business based in Spain will continue to operate independently under current CEO Victor Blasco.

According to Guy Gecht, CEO of EFI, the ceramic tile market represents a tremendous growth opportunity for EFI. "We have been tracking the swift transformation from analog to digital technology in tile imaging for quite some time, and have been deeply impressed with the fast growth and global leadership position of Cretaprint,” he says.


Xeikon buys up flexo brands

Xeikon has taken two steps towards strengthening its label and packaging market offerings by acquiring the Flexolaser technology and business from German manufacturers, RSD Technik GmbH, and buying up the rights to Kodak Eastman’s Thermoflex brand.

For the full story, click here.



3M snags Avery Dennison’s office and consumer product business for US$550m

The specialty film manufacturer will use proceeds from the multi-million dollar cash deal to reduce its debt, make additional pension contributions and share repurchases. The deal is due to be signed off in the second half of 2012.

According to Dean A. Scarborough, CEO of Avery Dennison, the sale presents the best opportunity to maximise OCP’s value for it’s shareholders, while complementing 3M’s global portfolio.

“Our industry-leading pressure-sensitive materials and retail branding and information solutions businesses, combined with our strong balance sheet, make us well positioned for profitable growth and increased return of cash to shareholders,” he says.

The company reports its pro forma sales in 2011, excluding OCP, to be around $6 billion. Sales figures of Avery Dennison’s Office and Consumer Products business for 2011, as reported by the company, equate to around $765 million.