A New Era

1999: Agfa goes public

On June 1, 1999, Agfa reached another milestone in its history. Agfa shares were introduced to the stock markets of Brussels and Frankfurt.

2000-2001: The digital (r)evolution continues

The shift towards digital technology is clearly gaining momentum. Agfa has prepared itself for the technology changes and is continuing to follow this growth path for the years to come. Agfa aims to grow in new market segments with its existing portfolio and via strategic acquisitions and alliances. In 2000, Agfa took a majority stake in the Belgian software company Quadrat, which operates in information systems for the radiology department (RIS). One year later, Agfa took a minority interest in MediVision, a developer and manufacturer of digital imaging systems for ophthalmology applications. Also in 2001, Talk Technology, North America's leading supplier of voice-enabled clinical workflow and reporting solutions for healthcare, became part of Agfa.

2002-2005: New developments

In 2002, Agfa acquired Mitra, one of the most important global suppliers of imaging and information management systems for healthcare. In 2005, Agfa became the largest player in Europe in the fast growing market of healthcare IT solutions through the acquisitions of Symphonie On Line and GWI. These companies are leading providers of information systems for hospitals and the electronic patient record, respectively in France and in Germany. Also in 2005, Agfa acquired Heartlab Inc., a leading American designer and supplier of image and information networks for cardiology, and Med2Rad, the leading developer and supplier of information systems for radiology in Italy.

As the only company in the graphic arts industry that offers a complete solution, including automated prepress systems, digital workflow systems, film and plates, Agfa also invested in a new plate production factory in China. Furthermore, the company strengthened its market and technology leadership in the graphic markets by acquiring a number of companies: Autologic, a US manufacturer of prepress systems for the newspaper market, Dotrix, a Belgian specialist in digital colour printing solutions for industrial applications, Lastra, an Italian manufacturer of analogue and digital printing plates and ProImage, an Israeli developer of browserbased solutions for digital workflows in printing companies.

In November 2004, Agfa divested all its photographic activities to the new, independent company AgfaPhoto.

2006-2007: Three independent businesses

Since the beginning of 2006, the business groups Graphics and HealthCare are operationally independent. Agfa will also create a third group, Materials, around its film manufacturing activities. This group will manufacture film and related products on an exclusive basis for Graphics and HealthCare as well as for third parties.

The independence of the businesses will give each group the necessary flexibility to successfully implement its growth strategy, to strengthen its competitive positioning and to control its costs in line with the changing market conditions.

Since the beginning of 2007, Agfa is preparing a split of the Group in three independent, listed companies. This demerger is expected to take place before the summer of 2008.