Plockmatic Group, one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers of document finishing technology, has acquired Intec Printing Solutions Ltd, headquartered in Poole, Dorset, a major global supplier of unique equipment solutions for the print and graphic arts markets.

The current star of Intec’s product line-up is the company’s ColorCut range, which includes entry-level large-format production flatbed cutting products. Additionally, Intec offers the ColorFlare range of desktop and professional devices to enhance prints with both foils and laminates.

The company is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Plockmatic International AB and part of the Plockmatic Group, which includes the well-known Morgana and Watkiss ranges of offline finishing systems. The Swedish firm’s CEO, Jan Marstorp, will continue to head the expanded group of companies.

Commenting on the acquisition, Jan Marstorp said: “Intec are well known in the industry for providing quality products at competitive prices. The ColorCut range of cutting systems have been well received by the market, with sales in the UK, across North America, and many other international territories.

“These systems are ideal for small to medium sized print-based operations that need to provide professionally cut and finished promotional display boards, boxes, labels and more. This is a sector of the market that has grown rapidly in recent years, and one that Plockmatic is keen to further explore and expand.

“We also see a good match for these products with our large OEM customers who provide printers. These products will enable more applications and allow them to grow further into the light packaging and labelling market segment.”

With regard as to how these products fit within the current range, Ray Hillhouse, VP Sales & Marketing for Plockmatic’s Offline Business Unit adds: “Our UK Morgana sales team have enjoyed considerable success with the Valiani range of large format finishing systems in recent years. We see the ColorCut suite of products complementing these in the UK and providing a terrific opportunity in this expanding market segment for our international dealerships worldwide.”

The Plockmatic company will seek to expand sales of these devices through the existing Intec & Morgana international dealer networks, Plockmatic’s OEM partners as well as through its subsidiary operations in the UK and USA. Intec Printing Solutions will continue to design and configure products at its Poole headquarters, and all current staff will be retained. The acquisition includes the company's US operation, Intec Printing Solutions Inc., based in Tampa, Florida.

The Intec business was founded by Ian Melville back in 1989. Commenting on the sale to Plockmatic International, Ian said: “Having started the business focussing on Apple Macs and pre-press products back in 1989, we’ve travelled right through the printing process to our current range of post-press equipment. I can safely say that it has been a long, eventful, highly enjoyable, and, ultimately, very successful journey. It has been a great delight to meet with printers and print equipment suppliers from all around the world – they are all great people. It has been a pleasure to be a part of this fantastic and highly adaptable industry.

“As the owner of a successful business there comes a time when the question of where the business goes after I'm gone has to be posed. The sale of the business to Plockmatic has come at a good time for me, for Intec Printing Solutions, and for my fantastic team. This transaction will give me the opportunity to spend more time on several charitable projects that I have been involved with, as well as enjoying some well-earned holiday time. For the business and the staff, it will provide the solid backing from a successful international manufacturer.”

The Plockmatic Group of companies is part of Grimaldi Industri Group, a diversified Stockholm-based holding company. “The acquisition of Intec Printing Solutions further demonstrates our commitment to our customers, and to the document finishing business,” says Salvatore Grimaldi, owner and CEO of Grimaldi Industri.