Grandville, Mich.-based X-Rite Inc. recently offered to purchase all of the outstanding
registered shares of Switzerland-based Amazys Holding AG — the parent company of GretagMacbeth,
also based in Switzerland — for approximately $280 million plus 2.11 shares of X-rite stock per
share. The two global providers of color measurement and communication hardware, software and
services expected to close the deal in late spring of this year, following shareholder and
customary regulatory approvals.
X-Rite reported that upon completion of the sale — which would unite the “best-of-the-best in
terms of innovation, products and talent,” and would extend its market and geographic reach, a team
of X-Rite and GretagMacbeth executives would lead the consolidation of the two companies. The
resulting organization would have global headquarters in Grandville and European headquarters in
Regensdorf, Switzerland. Current X-Rite shareholders would own majority share of the combined
entity — 74 percent — with the rest belonging to Amazys Holding’s current shareholders.
In addition, X-Rite’s Michael C. Ferrara would remain CEO, current Amazys Holding’s CEO
Thomas J. Vacchiano Jr. would be appointed president and chief operating officer, X-Rite’s Mary E.
Chowning would keep her post as chief financial officer, and Francis Lamy would be named chief
technology officer of the proposed company. Six X-Rite and three GretagMacbeth members would
comprise the new Board of Directors.
“X-Rite is excited about the opportunity to achieve greater scale, reduce operational costs
and leverage combined [research and development] efforts,” said Ferrara. “With the combined
company, we will be in a position to deliver more innovative and high-quality solutions.”
April 25, 2006
