Agfa – which includes global print solutions supplier Agfa Graphics – says it is in talks with German medical imaging supply company CompuGroup over a potential takeover, with speculation the group may accept the acquisition offer.

Agfa directly addressed the takeover rumours by confirming CompuGroup had approached the business, however says it is not guaranteed the interest will result in a formal offer.

“With reference to the recent media speculation, Agfa announces that it has been approached by CompuGroup, which has indicated an interest in a potential acquisition of all of the issued shares of Agfa by way of a voluntary conditional public takeover offer,” the statement reads.

“The Board of Directors of Agfa, together with its financial and legal advisors, will carefully evaluate CompuGroup’s expression of interest, taking into account the interests of its shareholders and other stakeholders.

There is no certainty as to whether a public offer for all issued and outstanding shares of Agfa will materialise.”

Agfa Graphics Oceania is headed by managing director Mark Brindley – ProPrint contacted Brindley for comment but he was unavailable.

Agfa’s history in Australia dated back to 1925, and it operates facilities in Melbourne, NSW, Queensland and South Australia. Its graphics division has downsized since the GFC but remains one of the big three litho plate suppliers, and is now one of the country’s biggest wide format solutions vendors with its Anapurna and Jeti printers. T is also one of the biggest workflow solutions developers.

The Belgium-headquartered group employs some 10,000 staff worldwide and generates annual sales of €2.6bn. CompuGroup is a fraction the size of its takeover target, with 4,300 staff and annual sales €543m.

Agfa says further announcements will follow ‘if and when circumstances so require’.

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