Esko has acquired US-based label and artwork management software company BLUE Software from Diversis Capital and Schawk Digital Solutions.
With a global workforce of 1,800, Esko provides software and hardware for packaging design, collaboration, automation, workflow and production.
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With the deal, Esko will be able to deliver efficient product packaging development, management and execution for the consumer packaged goods, life sciences and retail industries, as well as for a variety of suppliers in the packaging value chain.
Esko president Udo Panenka said: “We are relentlessly seeking to reduce time-to-market, costs and quality risks in the end-to-end packaging value chain.
“The acquisition of BLUE enhances Esko’s unique set of tools to enable brand owners and their partners to improve all three.
“Our software and hardware solutions digitise, automate and connect the packaging development and production workflow, from virtualised 3D design concepts all the way to printed, finished packs, in-store displays and e-commerce imagery and content.
“We strive to improve the overall efficiency of this critical business process for brand owners and the packaging value chain players.”
The transaction combines BLUE’s label and artwork management software with the Esko Platform for Brands.
BLUE Software president Ali Moosani said: “In today’s compliance-constrained and e-commerce-driven environment where consumers ceaselessly look for something new and novel, packaging artwork and labelling continues to be a bottleneck in the new product development and commercialisation process.”
As a result of the deal, BLUE has joined the Danaher Product Identification platform of companies, which comprises Pantone, MediaBeacon, X-Rite, AVT, Videojet, FOBA, Linx and Laetus.
The platform offers assistance to the consumer packaged goods industry and their suppliers in their efforts to simplify packaging operations.
