EFI acquires Cretaprint

EFI, Electronics For Imaging, a major US digital printing group based in Silicon Valley, has acquired Cretaprint, a developer of ceramic tile inkjet printers operating in Castellón, Spain. EFI’s experience in imaging technologies, workflow, and colour management in a range of fields together with Cretaprint’s expertise in the ceramic industry will further expand the range of offerings available to the market. EFI plans to strengthen Cretaprint’s operations in the field of technological innovation and to grow its market presence both in Spain and across the globe. “The acquisition of Cretaprint offers us a tremendous opportunity for growth in the ceramic tile marketplace, which in turn will greatly benefit from our innovative portfolio of technologies for digital decoration,” commented EFI’s CEO Guy Gecht. “We were very impressed by Cretaprint’s leadership position and pioneering role in the digitisation of the print industry.” Cretaprint’s CEO Victor Blasco was equally enthusiastic: “EFI’s global presence will accelerate the adoption of our digital technology across the globe and especially in emerging markets,” he said. EFI enjoys an excellent position in its various global markets. For the fourth quarter of 2011 the company expects revenues of approximately $163 million compared to $145 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, marking EFI’s eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. The results were driven by record revenues in both the inkjet and APPS/MIS segments.