Dainippon Screen Acquires Inca In GBP 30m Deal

Edited by the Printingtalk editorial team Jun 3, 2005

Dainippon Screen yesterday acquired Inca Digital Printers, the specialist wide-format digital inkjet printer manufacturer, in an agreement totaling GBP 30 million (43.8m Euros).

Dainippon Screen yesterday acquired Inca Digital Printers, the specialist wide-format digital inkjet printer manufacturer, in an agreement totaling GBP 30 million (43.8m Euros).

The acquisition is the latest phase in the continuing expansion of Dainippon Screen's digital printing business and, with immediate effect, Inca Digital becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.

In 2001 Inca shipped the world's first commercial digital flatbed printer and since then the company has remained at the forefront of development in the wide format digital inkjet industry, said Screen, which added that Inca has established a formidable reputation for quality, reliability and performance and built a successful global distribution network for its Eagle, Columbia and Spyder inkjet printers with Fujifilm Sericol.

Akira Ishida, Dainippon Screen's chairman and president, said: "This is a highly strategic investment for us.

The impact of digital inkjet technologies on the conventional print market is accelerating and Inca's technology complements our existing digital imaging and printing products perfectly.

Significantly, Inca's expertise gives us access to important new markets in industrial printing and packaging.

By combining Inca's expertise in wide format inkjet printing, with Screen's considerable experience in the media technology, semi-conductor and flat-panel display industries, we can further strengthen and grow Inca and Dainippon Screen's businesses, whilst working together to develop new applications across multiple sectors in the future." Bill Baxter, the managing director of Inca Digital, added: "As a firm backed by venture capital we have been looking for the right company with which to partner and Dainippon Screen is a great parent for us.

There is real synergy between us and the acquisition will enable us to develop profitable applications in totally new areas.

Screen fully supports our development and commercial strategies and our commitment to existing partnerships and together we will continue to strengthen those agreements in the future." The company will operate as Inca Digital (a member of the Dainippon Screen Group of companies) from its existing headquarters in Cambridge (UK) with no change to the current management team and staff.