Danaher Acquires EskoArtwork from Axcel in Share Purchase Agreement

GENT, BELGIUM—Jan. 21, 2011—EskoArtwork today announces that its shareholder, the Danish investment group Axcel, has entered into a definitive sales purchase agreement with the U.S. industrial company Danaher for the acquisition of 100 percent of the shares in EskoArtwork for a purchase price of €350 million ($470 million).

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary approvals and is foreseen to be concluded within the first half of 2011.

Danaher is a diversified technology company that designs, manufactures and markets products and services to professional, medical, industrial and commercial customers. Its portfolio of premier brands is among the most highly recognized in each of the markets the company serves. Driven by a foundation provided by the Danaher Business System, its 47,000 associates serve customers in more than 125 countries and generated $11.2 billion of revenue in 2009. For more information, please visit www.danaher.com.

Upon closing, the business will become a part of Danaher’s Product Identification platform.

“We have been extremely satisfied with our investment in EskoArtwork,” said Sigurd Lilienfeldt, partner at Axcel and the person responsible for the investment in EskoArtwork. “During Axcel’s ownership, EskoArtwork has repositioned itself into a world leading company within its field. This is not only due to the merger with Artwork Systems, but also because of significant R&D investments leading to a range of new leading edge solutions. This innovation capacity of EskoArtwork has been instrumental for the impressive EBITDA growth during our ownership leading to this very successful exit for Axcel.”

“Esko has a leading market position, great products, and a strong team who we are counting on to drive future growth” said Matt Trerotola, Danaher’s vice president and group executive of Product Identification.

Carsten Knudsen, CEO of EskoArtwork, commented: “This is an important and very positive step in the continued development of the company. I and the entire management team are excited to see Danaher’s strategic interest to acquire the company and develop EskoArtwork as an autonomous business. We see this as a vote of confidence in our strategy and a strong belief in our ability to continue to grow in the future.”

Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Monard-D’Hulst acted as advisors to EskoArtwork on this transaction.

About EskoArtwork (www.esko.com)
EskoArtwork is a global supplier of integrated solutions for packaging, sign and display finishing, commercial printing and professional publishing. Its products and services help customers raise productivity, reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business.

About Danaher
Danaher is a diversified technology leader that designs, manufactures, and markets innovative products and services to professional, medical, industrial, and commercial customers. Our portfolio of premier brands is among the most highly recognized in each of the markets we serve. Driven by a foundation provided by the Danaher Business System, our 47,000 associates serve customers in more than 125 countries and generated $11.2 billion of revenue in 2009. For more information please visit our Website: www.danaher.com

About Axcel
Axcel was founded in 1994 and now has a wide range of Danish and international investors. Axcel focus on medium-sized companies in Denmark and Sweden. Axcel has a total committed capital of approximately DKK 10 billion through four private equity funds. With 35 investments, Axcel has made more investments in medium-sized Danish companies than any other private equity fund in Denmark. So far, 21 of the companies in which Axcel have invested has been further developed and sold. Today Axcel’s investments comprise 16 companies in widely differing sectors with an overall turnover of approximately DKK 13.5 billion and approx. 13,000 employees. Since its inception, Axcel has built a comprehensive industrial network in Denmark, Sweden and abroad, not least by making more than 45 significant add-on acquisitions. www.axcel.dk

Source: Company press release.