In a brief statement, issued on 8 January, the company said: "Xeikon announces that it has engaged in discussions with a party, who has indicated to Xeikon that it may be interested in entering into a potential transaction regarding Xeikon, by way of making a public takeover bid for all shares in the capital of Xeikon.

"Parties are currently engaged in initial discussions on a potential transaction. Further announcements will be made if and when circumstances so require."

While Xeikon is keeping quiet on the identity of its as-yet-unnamed suitor that has done nothing to dampen media and industry speculation about the possible identity of its would-be buyer.

The following day, Dutch newspaper De Tijd published an article claiming that a Dutch private equity firm was understood to be the bidder, with Gilde the favourite, followed by Waterland and NPM Capital, which it recalled had made a failed attempt to acquire Xeikon in 2010.

Industry speculation has linked everyone from rival liquid toner digital press manufacturers such as HP and Miyakoshi/Ryobi, to pre-media rivals Fujifilm and Agfa, which has a long history with Xeikon in terms of both shared staff and technology.

Both Xeikon's founder Lucien De Schamphelaere and new chief executive Frank Deschuytere were once Agfa employees and it is interesting to note that Agfa's share price has risen 13.5% since the start of the year, to €1.51 at the time of writing, while Xeikon's shares are up 26% since 1 January at €4.10.

Meanwhile, there has yet to be any further information on where former Xeikon chief executive Wim Maes, who left at the end of last year to take up a new role at an undisclosed company, is plying his trade, causing some to speculate that their may some connection between his new employer and the mystery bidder.