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

Sources close to Scitex Digital Printing suggested that EFI or Xerox might be the firms making the offer. Both have a relationship with the firm, EFI to develop a front-end to drive its VersaMark digital colour press and Xerox to sell the VersaMark.

No one from Scitex or IDB were available for comment.

There are changes at IDB that mean it is considering the options for Scitex, which has been singled out by IDBs recently appointed management as part of its cost-cutting measures.

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

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

Write-downs on its holding in Creo have also been hitting 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 also 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