Schawk Inks Deal to Acquire Seven Worldwide

DES PLAINES, IL—Schawk Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire prepress and creative design house Seven Worldwide, formerly Applied Graphics Technologies, for $191 million in cash and stock.

Schawk, a provider of digital imaging graphic services for the consumer product and brand imaging markets, will pay $122.4 million in cash and $68.6 million in Schawk stock. The deal includes four million shares of Schawk common stock at $17.15 per share and will expand the company's global coverage.

The combined companies registered approximately $630 million in 2004 sales.

"This acquisition allows the combined companies to significantly broaden global coverage and increase market leadership in the creation and production of packaging, advertising, and in-store marketing and signage," notes David Schawk, president and CEO of Schawk.

The transaction is subject to approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and other customary closing conditions. The deal is expected to close in the early portion of 2005.