Cheshire-based Cheshire Anilox Technology has been acquired by the Swiss company Daetwyler Group.

Cheshire Anilox, which was advised on the deal by Shaw & Co, is a manufacturer of high quality laser-engraved ceramic anilox rolls crucial for transferring a controlled amount of ink (or adhesive/lacquer) in flexographic printing. Established in 1992, the company employs 30 people and serves a loyal customer base in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Daetwyler Group, meanwhile, is a family-run Swiss based manufacturer that is the global market leader – through its SwissTec division – for coated and uncoated precision doctor blades used for print applications (the blades fit onto anilox rolls). The wider Group, which also manufactures inks and lacquers for product packaging and anti-counterfeiting protection, as well as high-precision machines for sectors such as aviation and construction, has more than ten sites worldwide employing more than 300 staff.

As well as expanding Daetwyler’s product offering and technical capabilities, the acquisition will also provide a strong foundation for further growth in the huge US market where Cheshire Anilox already has a substantial number of customers and Daetwyler has a major office in Huntersville, North Carolina.

Cheshire Anilox’s Founder and Managing Director Paul Smith will stay on with the business in a consultancy role, providing specialist support for the US expansion.

Rob Starr, Partner - M&A, Shaw & Co, said: “Paul wanted to secure Cheshire’s future and it certainly proved to be an exciting proposition for investors. We ran a dual-track process with a strong emphasis on finding an international acquiror, focussing on those companies which had links to the US where Cheshire Anilox already had a number of key customer relationships.

“Paul has received a great price for his life’s work and his consultancy role will enable him to benefit financially from the new, stronger, US operations. Perhaps most importantly, however, the deal has also preserved his legacy and the jobs of his loyal team.”

Paul Smith, Managing Director, Cheshire Anilox Technology, said: “The Daetwyler Group is the right buyer for me and one that will provide a strong future for my life's work. I am also pleased to be able to continue to support the development of the site in the USA in an advisory capacity.”

Ralph Daetwyler, Group CEO, Daetwyler: "Our in-depth understanding of processes has been the basis of our success for decades. Through the acquisition, we are expanding our technological expertise and thus creating tangible advantages for our customers. This acquisition is an important step in reliably meeting future requirements and actively driving the development of the industry.”