AGT hit by market weakness

Applied Graphics Technologies has been hit by the prolonged weakness in the market from retailers, advertising agencies and magazine publishers.

The US-based pre-press group, which is in the process of being bought by KAGT Acquisition (PrintWeek, 7 August), suffered a 6.5% fall in second-quarter revenues to 62m ($99m), while it made a net income of 212,000 compared to a 1.64m loss this time last year. Revenues for the first six months of the year fell 3.7%.

AGT, which owns Seven in the UK, did manage to boost its gross margin through restructuring.

KAGT, an affiliate of funds managed by Kohlberg & Co, has completed its tender offer for AGT through which it bought almost two-thirds of AGTs outstanding common shares.