Oc has reached an agreement with Gretag Imaging Group to acquire its Professional Imaging division.

The division, which develops, manufactures and sells products for wide-format ink-jet and photo laser printing, comprises Raster Graphics, Onyx Graphics, Cymbolic Sciences and ANAgraph.

Under the agreement Oc will purchase the shares of Raster Graphics Inc (USA) as well as the business-related assets of Raster Graphics subsidiaries in Canada, the UK and Germany.

Once the merger is finalised the division will become known as Oc Display Graphics Systems, which will in turn become part of Ocs Wide Format Printing Systems (WFPS) business unit. Rak Kumar will remain as chief executive officer of the division.

[The acquisition] confirms and strengthens our position in the display graphics market, said Michel Frequin, executive director of Ocs WFPS business unit. The integration of the acquired division provides synergy, facilitates availability of new products to existing as well as new customer groups.

Gretag Professional Imaging reported revenues of 72.4m ($105m) in the fiscal year 2000 and employs 450 staff. Netherlands-based Oc employs 22,000 staff and has worldwide revenues of 1.93bn ($2.8bn).