A report in themarker.com claimed that a non-Israeli investor was after Scitex Digital Printing (SDP), the firms high-speed ink-jet overprinter and press manufacturer.

EFI was rumoured to be a possible suitor, but this was denied to PrintWeek by the software and workflow specialists chief executive, Guy Gecht.

Scitex chief financial officer Yahel Shacher said: Our policy is not to comment on rumours. When we have something material to tell we will talk.

IDB holds almost 40% of Scitexs stock through its divisions Clal Industries & Investments and Discount Investment Corporation.

Scitexs financial performance, particularly its wide-format and ink-jet technology division Scitex Vision, has been poor. SDP has been the groups cash cow.

Write-downs in its holding in Creo have also hit its parents profits, although Scitex recently sold half its remaining share of Creo, leaving it with 6.6% of the pre-press giant.

Scitex changed top management following the revamp at IDB. SDP president and chief executive Nachum Shamir now fills that role at Scitex as well, having replaced Yeoshua Agassi last week.

IDB staff have taken up three positions on Scitexs board, including Discount Investment chief executive Ami Erel replacing former Clal chief executive Meir Shannie as chairman.

Story by Barney Cox