Datamax-O'Neil Acquires Extech

Late last year, Datamax-O'Neil, part of Dover Corporation's Product Identification Platform and global provider of label and receipt printing solutions, acquired Extech Instruments' Data Systems Division, one of the world's leading developers of portable printers for enterprise-wide applications. I recently talked with Christian Lefort, president of Datamax-O'Neil, about what this acquisition means to the company and what Datamax-O'Neil customers can expect.

This acquisition represents the first step in Datamax- O'Neil's long-term external growth strategy to gain market share and strengthen its leadership position in the global Auto-ID market by broadening its product offerings and global presence. Our brand is being regenerated. This is an ongoing project, and the Extech addition is just one part. This won't be our last acquisition; it is one part of our company's evolution.

Customers can expect access to an entire new product range, which complements the traditional Datamax- O'Neil product range very well. Extech Instruments' portable printer division offers a diverse line of thermal and dot matrix portable printers that are sold worldwide through an expansive network of distributors and marketing partners. The printers will complement Datamax- O'Neil's premium portable printer portfolio with the addition of a full line of high-value, cost-competitive printers for mobile requirements, including POS (point of sales), hospitality, route accounting, and field service. The printers will appeal to price-sensitive applications, and are available in 2, 3 and 4-inch configurations. While the traditional Datamax-O'Neil printers are fully rugged, the Extech line enables us to offer both the rugged printing option as well as the new, semi-rugged line. This expands our reach in the market by allowing us to address the needs of a market segment we weren't servicing before.