Agfa-Gevaert 167752 225615818 2008-07-14T15:55:21Z 193.11.41.58 /* See also */ {{redirect|Agfa}}<!--**** dab line not part of article, so goes above ***--> {{Infobox_Company | company_name = Agfa-Gevaert N.V. | company_logo = [[Image:Agfa logo.svg|200px]] | company_type = [[Public company|Public]] | company_slogan = | foundation = 1867 (Aktiengesellschaft für Anilinfabrikation)<br/>1894, [[Gevaert & Co]]<br/> 1964 (Agfa-Gevaert) | location = [[Mortsel]], [[Belgium]] | key_people = [[Jo Cornu]], [[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]]| num_employees =13,565 (Dec. '07) | industry = Imaging company | products = | revenue = € 3.3 billion (2007)| net_income = € 42 million (2007) | homepage = [http://www.agfa.com/ www.agfa.com] }} '''Agfa-Gevaert N.V.''' ('''Agfa''') ({{Euronext|AGFB}}, {{FWB|AGE}}) is a [[Europe]]an [[multinational corporation]] which develops, manufactures and distributes analogue and digital products and systems for the making, processing, and reproduction of images. It is an imaging technologies company with three main divisions: healthcare, graphics and materials. <!--**** Moved paragraph back into intro, as many people will be interested in this aspect of the business ****-->In the past, Agfa film and cameras were prominent consumer products. However, in 2004, the consumer imaging division was sold to a company founded via management buyout. [[AgfaPhoto|AgfaPhoto GmbH]], as the new company was called, filed for bankruptcy after just one year<ref name="dpreview">[http://www.dpreview.com/news/0505/05052701agfa_end.asp AgfaPhoto files for insolvency], dpreview.com. Article dated [[2005-05-27]], retrieved [[2007-03-04]].</ref> (The brands are now licensed to other companies by AgfaPhoto Holding GmbH, a holding firm.) Following this sale, Agfa-Gevaert's business today is 100% business-to-business. In February 2007, Agfa-Gevaert announced their intention to split into three independent publicly-traded companies (reflecting the activities of their remaining three divisions - healthcare, graphics and materials) to be listed on [[Euronext]] by the end of the year.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/02/28/ap3471503.html Agfa-Gevaert Splits Into Three Companies], Associated Press via Forbes.com. Article dated [[2007-02-28]], retrieved [[2007-03-04]].</ref><ref>[http://www.euronext.com/news/companypressrelease/companypressrelease.jsp?lan=NL&docid=353005&cha=1721 "Agfa-Gevaert to split into three independent, publicly traded companies"], Agfa-Gevaert press release. Article dated [[2007-02-28]], retrieved [[2007-03-04]].</ref> End of April 2008, Agfa-Gevaert announced that the split into three independent companies, as originally planned, no longer is a realistic scenario. The Board of Directors is examining a number of alternative options to reinforce the market position of the business groups and create shareholder value. ==Company Structure== Headquartered in [[Mortsel]], [[Belgium]], Agfa has sales organizations in 40 countries, representation in 120 countries, and 13,565 employees (full time equivalent permanent - Dec. '07) worldwide. Agfa has manufacturing plants in 10 countries, including Belgium, [[Germany]], [[France]], [[Italy]], [[China]], and the [[United States]]. Net sales for 2007 totaled 3.3 billion [[euro]]s. Agfa is organized into three business groups as follows. ===Agfa Graphics=== Digital and analogue [[prepress]] systems, [[software]] and consumables. * Computer-to-film and [[Computer to plate]] systems. * Graphic film, [[Lithography|printing plates]]. * Digital proofing systems. * Large format printing (e.g. [[Billboard (advertising)|billboards]], [[wallpaper]], [[textile]]s). * High quality printing (e.g. [[bank note]]s). * Industrial [[inkjet printer|inkjet]] printing systems. ===Agfa HealthCare=== [[Medical Imaging]] and [[Information Management]] systems. * [[Digital Radiography]] modality (DR). * [[Computed Radiography]] modality (CR). * [[Picture archiving and communication system|PACS]] systems for [[radiology]] and [[cardiology]]. * Information systems for radiology and cardiology. * Radiology dictation and reporting systems utilizing speech recognition. * Message-based connectivity broker. * Protected Health Information auditing system. * Conventional radiology [[Photographic film|film]] and [[film developing]] equipment. * Film and paper [[computer printer|printer]]s. * [[Orthopedics]] workstation. * Women's Care ([[mammography]]) products. * [[Electronic Medical Record]] (EMR) and enterprise information systems. ===Specialty Products=== Consumables ([[motion picture]] sound recording and print film, [[microfilm]], film for non-destructive testing) for specific markets. == History == * 1867 The company '''Aktiengesellschaft für Anilinfabrikation''' ''(Corporation for [[Aniline]] Production)'' was founded in [[Berlin-Rummelsburg|Rummelsburg]] (now in the [[Lichtenberg]] borough of [[Berlin]]) as a manufacturer of dyes and stains. It became a [[public company|public]] [[limited company]] in 1873. The founders were [[Paul Mendelssohn Bartholdy]] (son of composer [[Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy]]) and [[Carl Alexander von Martius]]. * 1894 The company '''L. Gevaert & Cie''' was founded in [[Antwerp]], [[Belgium]], arising from the workshop for the manufacture of photographic paper belonging to [[Lieven Gevaert]]. * 1897 Appearance of the ''Agfa'' trade mark. * 1898 Introduction of [[X-ray]] plates and film products. * 1912 [[Bayer]] builds a factory in [[Leverkusen]], in which film chemicals and later also photographic papers are manufactured. * 1922 Introduction of double sided medical film products. * 1925 As part of the consolidation of the German chemical industry, the photographic activities are combined with those of Bayer, including a [[camera]] factory in [[Munich]]. * 1932 Introduction of low dose X-ray film products. * 1937 Introduction of Agfacolor-Neu reversal color film. * 1940 Agfacolor negative-positive color material is used for the first time for a feature film "Frauen sind doch bessere Diplomaten" (Women are the better diplomats) by the German [[UFA]] production company. * 1941 American assets were seized as enemy property and became [[Ansco]]. * 1942 Introduction of intensifying screen products. * During the [[World War II|Second World War]] Agfa became part of [[IG Farben]], a conglomerate of all German chemical industries. When the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] broke up IG Farben after it was found guilty of [[war crime]]s, Agfa reappeared as an individual business. An Agfa plant located in what was to become [[East Germany]] became the foundation of [[ORWO]]. * 1952 Re-establishment of '''Agfa AG''' as a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer in Leverkusen. * 1964 Merger of '''Agfa AG''' and '''Gevaert Photo-Producten N.V.''' with Bayer AG and Gevaert each holding a 50% interest in the new operating company. * 1972 Introduction of [[mammography]] film / screen products. * 1981 Bayer buys out Gevaert and becomes 100% owner. * 1988 [[Takeover|Acquisition]] of '''[[Compugraphic]] Corporation'''. * 1990 ** Sale of [[magnetic tape]] business. ** Introduction of Computed Radiography (CR) products. * 1994 Introduction of '''[[Picture archiving and communication system|PACS]]''' products. * 1996 Acquisition of '''[[Hoechst]]'s''' printing plate and proofing business. * 1998 ** Acquisition of '''[[DuPont|Dupont's]]''' offset printing and graphic arts film business. ** Sale of the company's Copier Systems business to '''Lanier Worldwide Inc.''' ** Acquisition of '''CEA AB'''. ** Acquisition of '''[[Monotype Corporation|Monotype Typography Inc.]]''' * 1999 ** Acquisition of '''Sterling Diagnostic Imaging'''. ** Separation of Agfa from '''[[Bayer]]'''. Initial public offering of Agfa-Gevaert shares on June 1. Agfa listed on Brussels and Frankfurt stock exchanges. * 2000 ** Acquisition of '''Krautkramer''', a producer of [[ultrasonic]] systems for non-destructive testing. ** Acquisition of '''Quadrat''', a Ghent based [[Europe]]an producer of radiology information systems. * 2001 ** Acquisition of '''Autologic''', an [[United States|American]] producer of systems for prepress automation. ** Acquisition of '''Talk Technology''', a producer of medical [[voice recognition]] systems. ** Acquisition of the German company '''Seifert''' and the American company '''Pantak''', producers of industrial [[X-ray]] equipment for non-destructive testing applications. ** Acquisition of a minority interest in '''MediVision''', a developer and manufacturer of [[digital imaging]] systems for [[ophthalmology]]. ** Agfa stopped its desktop scanners and digital camera business in September 2001. '''Agfa does not provide any further support.''' * 2002 Acquisition of '''Mitra Imaging Inc.''', a developer of [[medical imaging]] and information systems for [[healthcare]]. * 2003 ** Opening of new printing plate factory in [[Wuxi]], China. ** Sale of non-destructive testing business to [[General Electric]]. ** Acquisition of '''Granite Systems''', a producer of software drivers for printers, multifunction devices and digital presses. * 2004 ** Acquisition of '''Dotrix''', a [[Belgium|Belgian]] producer of digital color printing systems for industrial applications. ** Acquisition of '''Lastra''', an [[Italy|Italian]] manufacturer of plates, chemicals and equipment for the [[offset printing]] industry. ** Sale of the consumer imaging division to a company founded via management buy out, named '''[[AgfaPhoto]]''', and held by an investment company. Agfa grants permission for AgfaPhoto to use the Agfa name in perpetuity. After one year, AgfaPhoto files for bankruptcy. ** Acquisition of '''ProImage''', an [[Israeli]] developer of [[Web browser|browser]]-based digital workflow solutions for the newspaper and printing industries. ** Acquisition of '''Symphonie On Line''', a [[France|French]] [[information technology]] company and developer of EPR ([[electronic patient record]]) systems. ** Sale of '''[[Agfa Monotype]] Corporation''', a provider of [[Typeface|fonts]] and font-related software technology, to [[Boston]] based private equity investor [[TA Associates]]. ** Acquisition of '''GWI''', a [[Germany|German]] developer of healthcare [[information system]]s for [[medical records]], [[nursing]], [[business management]], and facility [[Administration (business)|administration]]. * 2005 ** Acquisition of '''Heartlab, Inc.''', a [[United States|U.S.]] developer of cardiology image and information management systems. ** Acquisition of '''Med2Rad''' an [[Italy|Italian]] developer of radiology information systems. ** Introduction of industrial [[inkjet]] products. * 2006 ** Agfa announced a worldwide restructuring, by [[2008]] 2000 jobs will be lost. ** Belgium bank KBC yields its 27% shares in Agfa <ref>[http://www.cerclefinance.com/default.asp?pub=valactu&stockID=17rBKBC&art=135878&pagec=1 Cercle Finance] (in French) march 10th 2006 12:23AM</ref>. * 2007 ** In February, Agfa-Gevaert announced its intention to split into three independent publicly-traded companies, effective May 1st. Now the companies are '''Agfa Graphics''' for all press and pre-press market, '''Agfa HCES''' for healthcare IT, and '''Agfa Materials''' for the factories. ** Split up postponed to mid-summer 2008 * 2008 ** End of April, Agfa-Gevaert announced that the split into three independent companies, as originally planned, no longer is a realistic scenario. The Board of Directors is examining a number of alternative options to reinforce the market position of the business groups and create shareholder value. ==References== <references /> ==See also== *[[AgfaPhoto|List of Agfa consumer products]] *[[André Leysen]] *[[Dirk Colaert]] *[[Eric Maurincomme]] *[[Christian Reinaudo]] *[[List of photographic equipment makers]] ==External links == * [http://www.agfa.com/ Agfa] - the official website * [http://www.agfaphoto.com/ AgfaPhoto GmbH] - website of the sold-off (and now bankrupt) consumer imaging division * [http://www.agfa.com/en/co/support/scanners/index.jsp Support scanners and digital cameras] {{BEL20 companies}} [[Category:Companies of Belgium]] [[Category:Photography companies]] [[Category:Photographic film makers]] [[Category:IG Farben]] [[Category:Belgian brands]] [[Category:Printing]] [[bn:আগফা]] [[de:Agfa]] [[es:Agfa Gevaert]] [[fr:Agfa-Gevaert]] [[it:Agfa]] [[hu:Agfa]] [[nl:Agfa-Gevaert]] [[ja:アグフア・ゲバルト]] [[no:Agfa]] [[pl:Agfa-Gevaert]] [[ru:Agfa-Gevaert]] [[fi:Agfa]] [[sv:Agfa-Gevaert]] [[zh:愛克發·吉華集團]]