Esko Merges with AVT

Esko, a global developer of integrated hardware and software solutions for the print, packaging and label industries, and AVT Inspection Systems Inc. (‘AVT’), global provider of print inspection, process control and quality assurance solutions, are pleased to announce the integration of their businesses.

Effective immediately, the integration is designed to deliver simplicity and extended connectivity for both Esko and AVT customers by incorporating automated quality inspection into the connected packaging and labeling value chains.

Sharing many of the same customers around the world, the combined business will see expansion of its sales and technical service teams with enhanced local representation, ensuring customers and OEM partners receive the same level of customer service and technical excellence they have come to expect from both companies.

MattiasByström, President, Packaging & Color Businesses at Danaher (Pantone, Esko& X-Rite), commented, “We are on a mission to build trust in packaging for the long term. This means we are focused on continuously improving the specification, measurement and communication between parties across the global packaging value chain. By removing the organizational barriers between AVT and Esko, we are expediting this vision.”

The aim of the new organization is for customers to communicate and measure print quality and color, from end to end on a global basis, delivering easier, faster, and more accurate right first time production to boost operational performance and ultimately customer satisfaction.

Roy Porat, President of AVT, added “Above all, this integration will absolutely deliver simplicity. It will be easier for printers to measure print quality and color, easier for operators to hit quality and color targets, easier for teams to track and share quality and color data, and easier for business leaders to buy and implement these solutions. Bringing our combined strengths together to deliver a complete solution is an exciting opportunity for our customers and our business.”

Esko and AVT have already released AutoSet, a digital link between Automation Engine, the Esko packaging prepress workflow server, and the AVT 100% print inspection solutions. Enabling Automation Engine to setup AVT inspection systems on conventional and digital presses, as well as on rewinders in an automated way, the development forged the path for the two businesses to work more closely together.

AVT was acquired by Danaher, the Esko parent company, in 2017 to support its vision of digitizing the packaging value chain. MattiasByström expanded his leadership role from Esko President to include oversight of AVT in August 2019. This latest strategic move is the formalization of the strategy to create a combined position to better serve brands and their print and packaging supply chain partners with comprehensive hardware and software solutions.

Esko, AVT, X-Rite and Pantone combine their strengths in color and inspection solutions to create a ‘Right First Time’ workflow across the packaging supply chain.

Following the merger Esko joined forces with Danaher sister companies AVT, X-Rite and Pantone to integrate its automation and collaboration solutions, with the X-Rite and Pantone color technology and AVT’s camera inspection solutions.

These three integrations, that digitize and connect the most advanced technologies of Esko, AVT, X-Rite and Pantone, were demonstrated during EskoWorld, the annual Esko user event taking place in San Antonio, Texas (5-7 June, 2018). The integrations are designed to preserve the digital flow of data across connected systems, addressing market demands for faster time to market and ‘Right First Time’ production in smaller lot sizes while taking cost and waste reduction into account.