April 5, 2004 -- Lüscher AG of Switzerland, specialising in the design, manufacture and marketing of electronic pre-press equipment, has reached an agreement to acquire all the assets of UK based ZED Instruments from The Moore Company based in Westerly RI, USA. “Since ZED Instruments develops and manufactures direct laser ablation technologies for the flexo, dry-offset and letterpress sectors, its products seamlessly complement ours in the pre-press sector,” commented Lüscher’s CEO, Hans Lüscher. “This acquisition forms part of our growth strategy to acquire, in an orderly manner, companies and technologies which strengthen our existing business, capabilities and assets, and is the key to our expansion in the flexo sector.” Lars Janneryd, member of Lüscher AG’s Board of Directors, added, “We decided to acquire ZED Instruments because of their long-standing experience in the flexo market and their new, advanced technology. The flexo market is strategically important to Lüscher, and this move will provide us an excellent opportunity to quickly implement that strategy. The acquisition of ZED Instruments’ products and skills gives us wider access to the flexible packaging, label, point-of-sale display and plastic tub printing markets. With effect from 31st March 2004, ZED will be fully integrated into the Lüscher group under the name Lüscher Flexo and will operate from new premises in Thame some 40 miles west of London United Kingdom. Managing director, Bruce Knox and his existing staff will continue to manage the company. He commented: “This development means a great deal to us. In the past, ZED was very much a technology driven enterprise. Now, incorporated in the Lüscher Group, we’ll greatly benefit from marketing through the Group’s sales and distribution outlets. We already have installations throughout Europe, as well as in the USA, Japan and other parts of the Far East. With the help of Lüscher’s network, we can expect to rapidly expand our clientele in the rest of the world. Fulflex, a Moore company, which supplies elastomer materials for use in direct ablation production, will continue to represent us in North America.” “Driven by Lüscher’s technical excellence, direct-engraving technology will remain the leading sleeve option for flexo printers. At DRUPA 2004 we will be launching FlexPose!direct, the next generation, laser-ablation 2system for sleeves and plates. In addition, we’ll be showing samples of exceptionally high quality promotional work, printed UV flexo at 175 lpi by Hishigen in Japan, and look forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to our stand no B77 in Hall 9.” In addition to the acquisition of ZED Instrument, Lüscher will also launch digital FlexPose! at DRUPA 2004. This imaging system based on Luscher’s patented hybrid drum technology, which will image the mask layer of a new type of digital polymer plates. Lars Janneryd adds, “With the direct ablation (positive) Flexo process from ZED and the mask imaging (negative) process from Lüscher, we close the loop and are able to offer a complete solution to all flexo printers and trade houses.” At DRUPA 2004 Lüscher will be exhibiting on two stands: Stand B77 in Hall 9 and Stand A21 in Hall 4