Esko, Artwork Systems Combine Forces

GENT, BELGIUM—Esko and the three principal shareholders of Artwork Systems have agreed to merge their operations.

The resulting company has estimated 2007 revenues in excess of EUR 180 million and a workforce of nearly 1,000 professionals. The move consolidates the market leadership of both companies in packaging and printing pre-production products and services in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific.

Carsten Knudsen, current CEO of Esko-Graphics A/S, will become the CEO of the combined group. Guido Van der Schueren, chairman of the board of directors of Artwork Systems Group NV, will become the chief commercial officer, leading the new group’s integrated marketing and sales operations.