Advanced Vision Technology, provider of machine vision based automatic inspection systems, has acquired Munich based Geiger Vision Systems. GVS, which specializes in automatic print defect detection equipment for label printing, achieved sales of e700,000 in 2001. The purchase price has not been disclosed.

GVS develops quality assurance solutions for the label print market. It has a particularly strong presence in the pharmaceutical package printing sector. The company has also developed optical character recognition systems which are used by banks, insurance companies and the public sector.

AVT will establish a subsidiary in Germany, into which all GVS activities will be incorporated. AVT Germany will focus on research and development and be headed by GVS founder and managing director Axel Geiger.

The purchase is expected to be completed in the third quarter 2002.