The deal completed around two months ago for an undisclosed fee and since then Agfa engineers have been working to integrate Bodoni’s pressSign software into Agfa’s Apogee workflow portfolio.
Newly appointed Agfa UK managing director Eddie Williams confirmed that Agfa's Joan Vermeersch and Andrew Grant, who were both listed as Bodoni directors on Companies House from 24 August, had both been working directly with Bodoni but would still remain in their posts with Agfa.
“The software technology of Bodoni fits perfectly the strategy of Agfa Graphics, to reward its offset plate customers with value-added software products that improve cost of ownership,” Williams said.
“Especially in the pressroom, the Bodoni technology will allow Agfa plate customers to improve efficiency and save money, matching the idea behind Agfa's Eco3 approach.”
All 11 of Bodoni’s staff have been retained, with Ian Reid remaining as managing director, and the business is now actively recruiting one or two more staff.
Williams added: “It’s got a good customer base, a substantial customer base and some large print shops in there. It’s a significant business in terms of how he [Reid] has developed with Bodoni software and it’s of added value for us now to help customers streamline their production processes.”
Williams also said that Agfa is now faced with the issue of a number of Bodoni’s resellers being direct competitors.
“If a customer is using Bodoni through a competitor and wants to renew a Bodoni licence we will work with the customer on a direct basis but not through an existing sales channel,” he added.
Reid said that he was pleased with the acquisition, which he described as being “mutually agreed” and that so far Agfa had taken a “hands-off” approach to the day-to-day running of the business.
“We were looking to find a large company as we are a relatively small company and there’s only so far you can take a product,” said Reid.
Along with pressSign, Bodoni also provides colour consultancy and sells colour management and calibration solutions.
