technotrans AG, the leading global supplier of printing auxiliary equipment for sheet-fed and web presses, as well as CD/DVD technologies and information services, have announced their intention to purchase 100% of Farwest Graphic Technologies LLC, and their parent company, the Steve Barberi Company, Inc., both located in Corona California, U.S.A. This acquisition will provide a domestic assembly base for the majority of the technotrans printing industry related sheet-fed products as well as significantly reinforcing and expanding the nation-wide service and support of the technotrans group in North America. Bill Bonallo, President of Farwest, who is acknowledged not only as an expert in the area of UV and water based coating applications but also drying and curing systems along with lithographic process control, will further strengthen the technotrans team. In addition, technotrans AG has also announced that the future daughter company created by this agreement has formed a strategic alliance with IST Metz GmbH of Nurtingen Germany in order to offer complete packages for sheet-fed UV curing applications. IST Metz is recognized as the world leader in UV technology. One of the many areas that will benefit from this partnership will be Hybrid UV application technology, a process that was actually developed with strong involvement of Bill Bonallo. These partnerships will combine the strength of the recognized industry leaders and will benefit the North American market by providing a domestic base of assembly, a complete domestic replacement parts inventory, and a strategically located domestic based nation-wide service and support team. technotrans will also provide a process application support group with on press application experience unparalleled in the industry. Adding the proven benefits and efficiencies of single supplier purchasing and accountability will provide technotrans with the ability to strengthen their North American market share and will offer a level of product performance and support to North American printers that will exceed their expectations. The owners of FGT and SBC will become shareholders of technotrans AG and therefore be part of the ongoing international development of the technotrans group.