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Technology Stocks : Presstek -- Stock of the Decade?? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: NEIL MACK who wrote (9981)	9/22/1998 6:01:00 PM
From: NEIL MACK	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 11098

It is interesting to find that many still believe that other plate manufacturers are able to simply produce a non-ablative processless plate when the "thermal market size is large enough". Many harped on the fact that Agfa purchased Dupont and the ZP (Zero processless) plate product last year with it's silver content. Well, that plate was found to be non-conducive to imaging as it would leave heavy debri. It was soon abandoned as an alternative to Presstek's processless offering. Presstek's lead in this market is huge. Years and million's of dollars in R/D cost have poured into final development of a plate product that has been termed the "holy grail." Industry leaders I have spoken with state it is near impossible for other manufacturers to provide a cost effective plate that will rival Presstek's Pearl Gold product. It is believed many will sign alliances and possible license agreements to image with Presstek technology, as the plate making process is locked up with patents, Delta V vacuum process, etc. Agfa, thought to be a primary future competitor to Presstek, appears to be in financial difficulties based on the below info, and may not have the millions required to perfect a truly processless plate product. With the industry moving solidly to thermal, the ability to image non processless plates is definate high revenue to the developer of this concept. Well Presstek has it!~ and the others will have a hard time catching up! Gevaert bids as Bayer floats Agfa SEPTEMBER 21, 1998 Bayer will float Agfa before June next year, providing market conditions remain favourable. The announcement comes after a board meeting last Thursday at which the decision to press ahead with the floatation was taken. Bayer will sell off up to 75% of its stake in Agfa during Q2 next year. Gevaert Holdings moved to restore old ties by offering to buy 25%. It sold Agfa-Gevaert in 1980 because it did not have enough cash to prop up heavy losses from a plunge in silver prices. The purchase price would be depend on next year's developments on the financial markets. The float comes as Bayer increasingly concentrates on core activities in health care, agriculture, polymers and speciality chemicals. Bayer ceo Dr Manfred Schneider says: "In order to strengthen its position as one of the world's leading imaging companies, Agfa needs entrepreneurial independence and new financing options." In addition, AGFA cut 130 plate factory jobs. Neil