EskoArtwork to Acquire Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering

GENT, Belgium—At the closing of drupa 2008, EskoArtwork signed Letter of Intent regarding the acquisition of Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering, Inc. (MGE), an industry leader of vision-controlled finishing solutions for cutting tables in the sign-making, screen-printing and digital printing marketplaces.

The transaction, for which no financial details will be disclosed, is expected to close by end of July 2008.

MGE is the developer of the patented i-cut® vision system. Its i-script™ workflow has become a de-facto international standard through its integration into the RIPs of all major digital flatbed presses. MGE has also been EskoArtwork’s distributor for the Kongsberg i-XL and i-XE digital converting tables into the U.S. sign and display markets since 2004.

MGE’s operations will be organized as a strategic business unit within the EskoArtwork structure under the leadership of Steen Mikkelsen.

MGE began in the mid-80s as Sign-Tronic USA and changed its name to Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering in 1996. In the past, MGE was a distributor of Zund cutting machines. In late 2004, MGE partnered with EskoArtwork to bring about a more rugged and powerful multi-purpose digital cutting system for the Kongsberg product line. As a software developer, as well as a distributor, MGE is constantly trying to integrate the best digital cutting systems into solutions for all of its varied customers’ needs.