Agfa Buys Lastra of Italy

Agfa-Gevaert of Mortsel, Belgium agreed last month to acquire the printing plate manufacturer Lastra S.p.A. of Manerbio, Italy, whose sales last year amounted to about $300 million. Lastra, which was founded in 1969, is owned by Microgran S.r.l., and employs about 900 people, has been developing its digital plate business since acquiring the U.S. company Western Litho Plate & Supply Co. in 2002.

Last year, Agfa posted sales of more than $2 billion in its Graphic Systems unit, which includes graphic arts film, analog and digital printing plates and platesetters, and software for screening, project management, and workflow. Total sales of $5.2 billion include consumer imaging, technical imaging, and healthcare.

Agfa recently opened a plate facility in Wuxi, China.