HP broadens presence in wide-format printing by acquiring MacDermid ColorSpan Inc

HP recently announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire MacDermid ColorSpan Inc, a manufacturer of wide-format digital inkjet printers, from MacDermid Printing Solutions LLC, a subsidiary of privately held MacDermid Incorporated. Based in Minnetonka, Minn, MacDermid ColorSpan is a leading supplier of UVcurable inkjet printers for display graphics and a key supplier to sign shop franchises, quick printers and other small to midsize sign-making and screen-printing businesses.

The acquisition extends HP’s presence into the sign shop and quick-printing markets as well as its position as a one-stop partner for print service providers. In particular, HP plans to provide lower-cost platforms and UV technologies to print service providers that are expanding into outdoor applications and more industrial workloads.

The deal also broadens HP’s Graphic Arts portfolio of digital presses and wide-format printers and furthers HP’s Print 2.0 strategy to digitize analog prints by extending the company’s overall digital content creation and publishing platform. “This acquisition broadens HP’s presence in the production space where the digitization of analog prints will happen,” said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP.

MacDermid ColorSpan president Robert J Wenzel, who will lead the new product line at HP, said, “The combination of HP and MacDermid ColorSpan will provide our customers and channel partners an expanded mix of quality, value and choice that is unmatched in the digital graphics printing industry. Plus, MacDermid ColorSpan customers will continue to enjoy the same high levels of attention they are used to.” Upon completion of the acquisition, MacDermid ColorSpan will be integrated into the Graphic Arts organization within the Imaging and Printing Group of HP.