Barco and Purup-Eskofots parent company Kirkbi has completed legal procedures and signed an agreement clearing the way for the merger of the two firms pre-press operations.

The process of integrating the two businesses has begun and the structure, strategy and name of the merged company will be announced in mid-March. Purup-Eskofot chief executive William Schulin-Zeuthen will become chief executive of the new firm, as stated when the firms first announced the merger at Print 01 in September. Barco Graphics managing director Bruno Pairon will assist Schulin-Zeuthen in completing the restructuring of the firm into a single entity and then leave.

The new firm will be made up of the Purup-Eskofot business and the Packaging Systems and Commercial Printing divisions of Barco Graphics. Exact details of the product line-up have yet to be finalised, but will be based on P-Es PlateDriver CTP products and Barcos FastLane Workflow in the commercial print market. Barcos Viking range of platesetters will be dropped.

Barco has also completed the spin off of the other two divisions of Barco Graphics.
The Industrial Printing business, which includes the dot.factory digital press has been spun-off as a separate venture called dotrix. Barco retains a 90% stake in dotrix with the remainder held by the management team who all transferred from Industrial Printing. Rob Haak is managing director.

It is in discussion with other firms about other taking a stake in the firm and expects to conclude discussions within two months.

In December Barco and Mania Technologie completed the formation of Mania-Barco, including the ETS division of Barco Graphics. Barco has a 33% stake in the new venture.

Story by Barney Cox