In a deal worth around £5M, Hovat, the UK’s second largest stationery label manufacturer, has acquired Wydata, specialist in bar code stationery and digital printing. Together, the companies will be able to supply a “total bar coding solution, labelling and point of sale material at the same time”. Wydata will remain based in Tilbury.
Hovat managing director Bill Habergham explains: “This acquisition opens up a whole new market. Bar coding is already worth around €10 billion each year and Wydata is not only the foremost supplier of bar coding technology, but also the knowledge leader.”
Wydata md Fred de Wykerslooth adds: “The acquisition comes at an exciting time in the bar coding industry. We are one of a small number of companies that are pioneering the 2D open standard bar code, already approved for use internationally. It is sure to be adopted by the whole retail industry in the near future – and eventually by many other markets, because it has the potential to improve accuracy, turnaround times and cash flow. And on the horizon, there are many opportunities associated with new RF labels and bar codes.”
Bill Habergham concludes: “We believe we will be unique in our ability to offer both flexo and digital printing along with multi purpose label and bar code solutions to a range of retail customers.”
More information from: Emma Broadbent Hovat – TEL: +44 (0)870 60 60 960. EMAIL: janes@sinclairmason.com