Flint Group Acquires Xeikon and Announces New Digital Printing Solutions Division
LUXEMBOURG—November 20, 2015—Flint Group has announced today the acquisition of Xeikon*, a leading digital solutions provider to the packaging and commercial printing markets. Headquartered in Eede in the Netherlands, with operations in Lier, Ieper and Heultje Belgium, Xeikon, designs, develops and delivers high-end digital color presses and consumables for the global commercial, document, label and packaging market segments, distributing its solutions through a worldwide sales and service network.
Xeikon’s pioneering products and services will be the foundation of a newly created division to be called Flint Group Digital Printing Solutions. This new division of Flint Group will further broaden the group’s conventional and digital printing solutions, offering a unique proposition of equipment, consumables and services across its global markets.
"This acquisition represents an excellent opportunity for Flint Group, propelling the organization further into the digital solutions market, where we will continue to deliver on our long term strategy of driving growth through product innovation, focus on developing markets and portfolio expansion," said Antoine Fady, CEO Flint Group. "Xeikon has a proven history of delivering exceptional value through high-quality, high-productivity, innovative and sustainable solutions for their customers, which fits seamlessly with our own long-term vision for our business.”
Fady continued, "I am also delighted to welcome the customers and employees of Xeikon to Flint Group and look forward to supporting them and building on their continued success."
Wim Maes
Wim Maes, CEO of Xeikon, who will become president of Flint Group’s Digital Printing Solutions division, will report to Antoine Fady. "We are very pleased to be joining Flint Group’s global organization and excited by the opportunities this acquisition presents to accelerate business growth. Xeikon has shown that dedication to the digital label, folding carton, commercial and document printing market segments has paid off in terms of market share, customer satisfaction and financial contribution," explained Maes. "This next chapter in our more than 20-year existence opens many opportunities for Xeikon as a company, as well as for our customers, employees, partners and stakeholders."
Maes continued, "Flint Group has developed strong relationships with many leading global organizations within the graphic arts and packaging markets. Our shared goal of delivering exceptional value, unparalleled service, consistent quality and continuous innovation is only enhanced by Flint Group’s reputation, knowledge, infrastructure and support."
The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the competition authorities, and should be completed by end of 2015.
* Flint Group has entered into an agreement to purchase XBC B.V., a company that holds more than 95 percent of the shares in Xeikon N.V.
About Flint Group
Flint Group is dedicated to serving the global printing and packaging industry. The company develops, manufactures and markets an extensive portfolio of printing consumables, including: a vast range of conventional and energy curable inks and coatings for most offset, flexographic and gravure applications; pressroom chemicals, printing blankets and sleeves for offset printing; photopolymer printing plates and sleeves, plate-making equipment and flexographic sleeve systems; pigments and additives for use in inks and other colorant applications. With a strong customer focus, unmatched service and support, and superior products, Flint Group strives to provide exceptional value, consistent quality and continuous innovation to customers around the world. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Flint Group employs some 6800 people. Revenues for 2014 were € 2.1 billion (US $2.8 billion). On a worldwide basis, the company is the number one or number two supplier in every major market segment it serves.
About Xeikon
Xeikon is an innovator in digital printing technology. The company designs, develops and delivers web-fed digital color presses for labels and packaging applications, document printing, as well as commercial printing. These presses utilise LED-array-based dry toner electrophotography, open workflow software and application-specific toners.
As an OEM supplier, Xeikon designs and produces plate makers for newspaper offset printing applications. Xeikon also manufactures basysPrint computer-to-plate (CtP) solutions for the commercial printing market. These proven CtP systems combine the latest exposure techniques with cost-efficient UV plate technology, high imaging quality and flexibility.
For the flexographic market, Xeikon offers digital platemaking systems under the ThermoFlexX brand name. ThermoFlexX systems provide high resolution plate exposure including screening, colour management, as well as workflow management.
All the Xeikon solutions are designed with the overarching principles of profitability, quality, flexibility and sustainability in mind. With these guiding principles and a deep, intimate knowledge of its customers, Xeikon continues to be one of the industry's leading innovators of products and solutions.
Source: Xeikon.
