The Esko/Artworks Systems Deal: The Inside Scoop

Last week, key industry players Esko Graphics and Artwork Systems announced that they had reached an agreement to combine their businesses. The resulting new entity, with estimated 2007 revenues in excess of EUR 180 million and a combined workforce of close to 1,000 professionals, consolidates the market leadership of both companies in packaging and printing pre-production products and services in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. The target date for completion of the purchase is August 9, 2007.

WhatTheyThink spoke with Carsten Knudsen, who is currently the CEO of Esko-Graphics A/S and will become the CEO of the combined group; and Guido Van der Schueren, who is currently the chairman of the board of directors of Artwork Systems Group NV, and will become the Chief Commercial Officer leading the new group’s integrated marketing and sales operations, to get the inside scoop on the deal.

WTT: Gentlemen, thanks for speaking with us, and congratulations on this announcement. Esko Graphics and Artworks Systems have been longtime competitors. What prompted the discussions that resulted in this acquisition?

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About Cary Sherburne

Cary Sherburne is a well-known author, journalist and marketing consultant whose practice is focused on marketing communications strategies for the printing and publishing industries.

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