Strategic acquisition broadens Barco’s product portfolio with software tools for content creation and distribution
Barco, a world leader in LED display solutions, announced today it has signed an agreement to acquire Belgium-based digital signage solutions company dZine. Through this acquisition, Barco significantly broadens its current offering of digital visualization products with the addition of advanced software tools for content creation and management.
The total acquisition cost for Barco at the time of the transaction is less than 1 time annual sales of dZine excluding an earn-out provision over the next two and a half years. Barco’s acquisition of dZine fits within the company’s broader strategy to position itself as a total value-added solutions provider in the digital signage market. “Barco and dZine have a common philosophy of bringing innovative, customer-centric digital signage solutions to the high and mid-range markets via partnerships with leading distributors and resellers. By joining forces, both our companies will be able to open up new sales opportunities, which will strengthen our position in the digital signage market for years to come,” stated Paul Matthijs, Vice President of Barco’s Video and Lighting Solutions Division.
“Bringing Barco’s exceptional hardware know-how and dZine’s extensive content creation and management software expertise together under one roof will offer customers the benefits of a ‘one stop’ solution for their entire digital signage project needs, be it indoor or outdoor,” comments Filip Pintelon, Senior Vice President Barco and President Business Group Media, Entertainment and Simulation.
Founded in 1992, dZine has gained a solid reputation in the digital signage and professional mobile solutions markets. Its products and solutions are widely acclaimed and have been installed in more than 55 countries around the globe. As proof of its capabilities, the company recently won the ‘Best Digital Signage’ Award from a global trade association for marketing at retail, POPAI, for a multi-display digital escalator project.
As of today, dZine’s core team, based in Kortrijk, Belgium, will function as Barco’s center of competence for digital signage technology. Luc Deconinck, General Manager of dZine, stated: “We are excited to join the big Barco family. Teaming up with a globally recognized brand such as Barco will permit us to increase our reach and to extend our existing sales, marketing, and service capabilities.”
About dZine
dZine, an independent private company founded by Dirk Ghekiere in 1992, is a pioneer in the development of digital signage systems and professional mobile solutions. Founded on a strong, experienced team of hardware and software engineers, dZine builds advanced digital signage solutions for a variety of environments, including retail, hospitality, transportation and corporate branding. dZine employs over 45 highly qualified staff members and has established customer relations in over 55 countries. For more information: www.dzine.be
About Barco
Barco, a global technology company, designs and develops visualization products for a variety of selected professional markets. Barco has its own facilities for Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Barco (NYSE Euronext Brussels: BAR) is active in more than 90 countries with about 3,300 employees worldwide. Barco posted sales of 638 million euro in 2009.
For more information, please contact:
JP Tanghe
Senior Vice President Barco nv
President Corporate Communication, Investor Relations and Corporate Marketing
Barco nv
Phone:+32 56/26 23 22
Fax:+32 56/26 22 62
jp.tanghe [at] barco.com
Source: Barco
