Esko has announced its intent to purchase CAPE Systems, a provider of software solutions for packaging design, pallet load optimization and supply chain profitability. CAPE is active worldwide through a network of resellers, and is headquartered in Allen, TX, USA, with offices in London, UK.

“Esko is continually evolving from a prepress solution provider to an end-to-end supplier in the packaging world. It is our strategy to improve and drive profitability, utilization and fail safe solutions for our customers all the way from design to the point of sale, “explains Carsten Knudsen, Esko President and CEO. “CAPE has already made inroads in the brand owner and retailer packaging space. Adding their palletization tools to our portfolio supports our strategic goals. With CAPE, Esko receives the world’s leading and best-in-class toolkit. We´re determined to leverage the synergies this brings to our existing products and services—especially the sustainability benefits that integrating CAPE’s technology into Esko solutions should provide our customers.”

There are strong synergies between CAPE and Esko, including many common customers across both the packaging manufacturing and brand owner markets. There are close links between ArtiosCAD, Esko’s leading structural package design software worldwide, and CAPE PACK, which uses ArtiosCAD data for calculation and simulations within the software. Additionally, CAPE reports can already be managed within Esko’s WebCenter online packaging management platform.

“There could be no better future for CAPE than to join Esko, one of CAPE’s most dynamic and familiar business partners,” comments CAPE CEO Brad Leonard. “The Esko technology and organization are well-known to us. Joining Esko guarantees our global users continued support, development and integration, and opens up a wide range of packaging solutions.”

CAPE’s products and staff will be integrated into Esko’s portfolio and organization.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close late September.