MGE- Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering, Developer of i-cut®, Distributor of Kongsberg digital cutting systems.

EskoArtwork to acquire Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering, Inc.
Four years of intense cooperation on digital converting result in
the full integration of development and distribution activities

Gent (Belgium), June 11, 2008 – At the closing of its very successful participation to drupa 2008, EskoArtwork today announced the signing of a Letter of Intent regarding the acquisition of Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering, Inc. (MGE), the industry reference in vision controlled finishing solutions for cutting tables in the sign-making, screen-printing and digital printing marketplaces. The transaction, for which no financial details will be disclosed, is expected to close by end of July 2008.

MGE is the developer of the patented i-cut® vision system. Its i-script™ workflow has become the de-facto international standard through its integration into the RIPs of all major digital flatbed presses. MGE also is EskoArtwork’s distributor for the Kongsberg i-XL and i-XE digital converting tables into the US sign & display markets since 2004.

“EskoArtwork and MGE started their close cooperation in 2004 with the integration of MGE’s i-cut vision system onto our Kongsberg digital converting tables”, comments Carsten Knudsen, President and CEO of EskoArtwork. “The resulting i-XL and & i-XE digital finishing systems have seen great success in the market, with today over 350 such systems installed and operating worldwide. The rapid adoption of digital printing devices by the producers of signs and displays is accelerating the demand for our products, as we could very well witness during this drupa. I am extremely pleased to extend our partnership with MGE, now working as one team to deliver even stronger solutions to our customers.”

“It's not just accurate cutting anymore that drives profitability, it's the addition of workflow capabilities that increases the competitiveness of our user base”, observes Steen Mikkelsen, Owner and President of MGE. “Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering prides itself on excellent customer service, technical support, and in providing the best possible solutions for its customers and partners alike. By fully aligning our development and distribution efforts with EskoArtwork’s hardware and software technologies and global sales and support channels we will be able to bring even more attractive and performant converting systems to the digital printing and sign & display markets.”

MGE’s operations will be organized as a strategic business unit within the EskoArtwork structure under the leadership of Steen Mikkelsen.

About EskoArtwork

EskoArtwork is a global supplier and integrator of innovative solutions for packaging, commercial printing and professional publishing. Its products and services help customers raise productivity, reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business.

EskoArtwork is the worldwide market leader with pre-production and collaboration software for packaging buyers, designers and manufacturers. Esko CDI flexo computer-to-plate imagers and Esko Kongsberg short-run converting tables complete the portfolio for the packaging, label, signage and display industries.

The company also provides a range of workflow solutions for the commercial printing and publishing market, as well as the Enfocus suite of PDF tools for graphic designers and print production professionals.

EskoArtwork employs around 1,000 people worldwide. Its global sales and support organization covers Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Japan, and is completed by a network of distribution partners in more than 40 countries.

EskoArtwork is headquartered in Gent, Belgium, and has R&D and manufacturing facilities in 6 European countries and the United States. The consolidated full year revenue for 2007 amounted to EUR 170 million, with an EBITDA of EUR 30 million.