The European operation of 58k.com is to be merged into PrintCapacity, a UK-based company that provides estimating systems for large print buyers.


The move follows last months announcement that 58k.coms European operation was poised for a merger with a company in a similar field (PrintWeek, 27 July).


58k.com chief executive Richard Robb said that the US operation, recently acquired by US-based auction technology pro-vider Servador, would "continue to retain close ties" with its European counterpart.


"Basically we have rationalised the business. Its not the original vision it was two years ago but its still similar," he said.


Robb, who became a member of the board of Servador following the acquisition, confirmed that an official announcement would be made in the next two weeks.


With the integration of 58k into PrintCapacity, Robb said that European managing director Martin Tamlyn would take up "a similar role to his current one" in the merged operation.


58k.coms European operation launched in February 2000. The US site went live in October 1999.


The site billed itself as an "open auction" facility where printers put bids in for jobs placed on 58k.com by buyers.


The term 58k refers to the 58,000 print firms in the US.
Story by Andy Scott