As announced here last December, Esko - a Danaher-owned company - commenced a sale process with Open Gate Capital for the sale of the Norway-headquartered Kongsberg CAD cutting systems. The company has now announced the completion of the sale, and Kongsberg is no longer an Esko company.
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| A Kongsberg C-64 cutting table with roll feeder |
An Esko company statement released on April 1st says:
Esko, a global developer of integrated software and hardware solutions for the packaging and label sectors, has confirmed the successful closing of the sale of its Kongsberg digital finishing business to OpenGate Capital on April 1st 2021.
OpenGate Capital is a private equity firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with a European office in Paris and investments on five continents. The new business, Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, now employs ~400 former Esko employees operating from the business’ original research and development facility in Kongsberg, Norway, the production facility in Brno, Czech Republic, a new headquarters in Gent, Belgium as well as other global locations.
Mattias Byström, President of Pantone, Esko and X-Rite, said, “This sale enables both Esko and Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems to develop their own strategic directions. Under the leadership of Stuart Fox, we’re sure Kongsberg Precision Cutting has exciting times ahead. We wish the team the very best for the future.”
Stuart Fox, now President of the independent Kongsberg PCS says:
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| Stuart Fox, President Kongsberg PCS |
“This is truly an exciting day for everyone at the company. Since 1965, the Kongsberg name has been synonymous with innovation. Our systems have led the industry in delivering precision, reliability and quality through seven decades. Following the acquisition by OpenGate Capital, we will now focus on our future, and the next generation innovation and growth.”
Kongsberg's new website is: https://www.kongsbergsystems.com/en/cutting-systems
About OpenGate Capital
OpenGate Capital is a global private equity firm specializing in the acquisition and operation of businesses to create new value through operational improvements, innovation, and growth. Established in 2005, OpenGate Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with a European office in Paris, France. OpenGate’s professionals possess the critical skills needed to acquire, transition, operate, build, and scale successful businesses. To date, OpenGate Capital, through its legacy and fund investments, has executed more than 30 acquisitions including corporate carve-outs, management buyouts, special situations, and transactions with private sellers across North America and Europe. To learn more about OpenGate, please visit www.opengatecapital.com.
About Esko
Esko, a Danaher company, is a global provider of integrated software and hardware solutions that digitize, automate and connect the go-to-market process of consumer goods.
For CPG and Pharma brand owners, the Esko collaborative content creation platform for packaging, label, and marketing collateral equips marketing, branding, regulatory, and packaging teams to increase productivity, reduce costs, save time in their content processes, and consistently meet their deadlines for marketing and packaging projects.
For packaging manufacturers, the Esko range of prepress, flexo platemaking and print inspection solutions connects people, processes and tools and brings consumer products to life with accuracy, quality, efficiency and speed.
Packaging for 9 out of 10 major brands is produced by Esko customers.
Headquartered in Gent, Belgium, Esko operates worldwide with a unique focus on packaging and labels the consumer can trust. For more information about Esko, please visit www.esko.com
