Setback for X-Rite, Gretag tie-up

X-Rites move into a definitive agreement to buy rival colour management firm Gretag-Macbeth has hit an obstacle in the shape of Eichhof.

The Swiss parent of colour management firm Datacolor has said it may launch a counterbid for Amazys Holding, the parent of GretagMacbeth.

X-Rite and Gretag entered into the agreement in January this year. The deal, which would give US company X-Rite a massive market share, had almost been completed when Amazys received a letter of intent from Eichhof.

Amazys chief financial officer Rolf Jeger said Eichhof was awaiting the results of due diligence findings before launching a counter-bid to X-Rite's offer of 160m ($280m) plus 2.11 X-Rite shares for each Amazys share.