Coast-to-coast Acquisitions for Xanté

Mobile, Ala.-based Xanté Corp. plans to acquire both RIPit Imaging Systems, of Sacramento, and Exxtra Imaging Systems, of Hauppauge, N.Y. The companies have agreed on financial terms of both acquisitions, funds from Xanté are in escrow and the transactions should be completed within one week.

The buy will greatly expand Xanté’s product offerings, giving it one of the most complete line of prepress products and software solutions in the industry. RIPit provides software RIPs for prepress and graphic imaging markets, while Exxtra develops and produces metal, polyester and film computer-to-plate imaging equipment.

“Xanté is constantly developing new technologies for future expansion and growth,” says Robert Ross, president and CEO of Xanté. “Once we determined Xanté could accelerate its entry into the Violet CTP market by adding the people and products of RIPit and Exxtra to the Xanté family, we did not hesitate. Both companies have solid reputations and significant technology portfolios. Xanté now has one of the strongest line of CTP products in the industry as a result of the combined product offering of the three companies. The collective design resources will lead to even more innovative CTP solutions, software RIPs and professional imaging systems.”

The assets of Xanté, RIPit, and Exxtra create a synergy that will result in a larger, more diverse offering capable of spawning new business opportunities via a large base of worldwide distributors and dealers. Xanté says it has both the resources and financial strength to enable the combined companies to rapidly expand its market presence and increase the speed it brings innovative products to market.

The Xanté product line now encompasses chemical and process-free solutions such as the Impressia Metal PlateSetter and PlateMaker 5 which deliver metal and polyester plates for short to medium run lengths as well as larger format violet metal plate and polyester imaging devices driven by OpenRIP Symphony. Its Adobe PostScript 3 RIP features a multi-device, multi-task workflow designed to automate prepress production and eliminate human error. Symphony’s multi-device functionality allows every device in the print shop including platesetters, imagesetters, laser printers, digital copiers, ink-jet printers and plotters to be controlled from a single RIP for true workflow consistency.

“I’m excited about the opportunities to advance the technologies designed by RIPit with Xanté’s resources and commitment to growth and innovation,” says Wayne Wasulko, president of RIPit. “I will now have the time to follow my passion and focus my energies on the development of leading edge software RIP solutions as well as expanding our presence and product offering in the pre-press market.”

“These newly combined companies are poised to significantly influence the future direction of the CTP industry,” adds Michael Sterflinger, president of Exxtra Imaging Systems, Inc. “I am very excited to be joining forces with Xanté who has a well established and successful world-wide sales and marketing organization and distribution channel.”

Management of the company includes executives from both organizations. Robert C. Ross, Jr. continues as president and CEO. Wayne G. Wasulko of RIPit has joined Xanté as VP of RIP Development. Michael R. Sterflinger of Exxtra has joined Xanté as VP of Technology.