Belgian digital color print systems manufacturer Xeikon NV has paid $15.8m in cash for an 80% stake in Nipson International SA, a maker of high-speed black and white printers, from France’s Groupe Bull. Mortsel-based Xeikon said that, in addition to the cash payment, it has also assumed Nipson’s liabilities, consisting primarily of $11.6m in debt payable to Bull.
Nipson has patented printer technology. The company, based in Saint-Ouen outside Paris, had revenue of FF400m ($65m) in 1998 and has among its customers such major corporates as the bank Credit Agricole and Dai Nippon Printing. Bull retains a 20% holding in Nipson and will continue to act as a distributor of its products.
