Ad-hoc | 24 June 2008 06:55
NEW VALUE AG / Miscellaneous
Release of a Adhoc News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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New Value becomes shareholder of FotoDesk Group AG, integrating
Colorplaza's printing services and combining them with online photo
editing, sharing and storage
New Value's portfolio company Colorplaza SA acquired by FotoDesk Group AG
Vevey based Colorplaza SA, a portfolio company of New Value AG (SWX: NEWN)
is acquired by FotoDesk Group AG (www.fotodesk.com) based in Zug,
Switzerland, thereby building a unique online imaging service that combines
photo finishing, editing, sharing and storage. As of today, FotoDesk Group
also announced the acquisition of flauntR (www.flauntr.com), the
comprehensive solution provider for online photo editing, storage and
sharing. New Value completes a share swap of its Colorplaza shares into
FotoDesk shares. In addition New Value participates in the growth financing
of FotoDesk Group investing CHF 1.0 million in equity. After completion of
the transaction New Value will own 45% of FotoDesk Group AG.
FotoDesk’s operations will be strengthened by the acquisition of Colorplaza
and flauntR. FotoDesk is rolling out a unique online imaging service that
combines photo editing, printing, sharing and storage in a single seamless
service. It addresses the traditional online print market through its two
consumer brands ColorMailer and FastLab acquired from Colorplaza. flauntR
brings in software technology for online editing, sharing and storage as
well as a vast knowledge in online marketing. FotoDesk provides services
across Europe, through sites in 9 languages. Service launches in the US and
India will follow later in 2008.
Colorplaza's access to end consumers and service competence
Colorplaza was founded in 1999 and is a pioneer in online photo finishing,
primarily addressing the European consumer Photo finishing market. The
company also has partnerships with Sony Ericsson, Microsoft and Sony.
Colorplaza's management will join FotoDesk’s specialist team, which will
still operate its printing service out of Vevey. FotoDesk will continue to
operate its two consumer brands, ColorMailer (www.colormailer.com) and
FastLab (www.fastlab.com). The acquisition announcement coincides with the
relaunch of the ColorMailer service. The rollout includes a redesign of the
existing service around a new User Interface platform, which offers a
richer online experience to customers, as compared to existing offerings on
the market. The product portfolio has also been stream-lined and updated
with a renewed focus on print products with high customer demand.
In addition to the consumer market FotoDesk will be addressing the
professional and semi-professional market through new services in fine art
printing. The fine art printing service rollout has already begun, with the
addition to the service offering of the support for premier fine art paper
types.
Acquisition of online application www.flauntr.com
flauntR offers a suite of photo-centric online applications that allow
users to edit, enhance, share and store images. flauntR deeply integrates
into the photo repositories of today’s web, like Picasa, and Flickr, and 16
major social networks. Galleries with commenting systems and Slideshows
with transition effects are supported for users to share and showcase
content both onsite and offsite. flauntR has received outstanding reviews
from users and industry experts alike for ease of use and speed.
flauntR will be jointly developing new services with Colorplaza. The
flauntR acquisition also opens up the US, UK and Indian markets for photo
finishing services.
Fast growing digital imaging market
'We are convinced that FotoDesk Group's business model addresses all
aspects in order to participate over-proportionally in the attractive
growth perspectives of the digital imaging market. The integration of
Colorplaza's print service into an integrated online editing, printing,
sharing and storage service will add value to customers', comments Peter
Letter, head of New Value's investment management.
Information about New Value AG
New Value, officially listed at the SWX Swiss Exchange, invests directly in
promising private companies in Switzerland and neighbouring German-speaking
countries with above-average market and growth potential. As an investment
company, New Value promotes innovative business models with venture capital
and accompanies those to market success. The portfolio covers companies of
different stages of development, starting with the market introduction
phase up to medium-sized enterprises with stable profits. A broad
investment approach is deliberately followed regarding industry sectors.
The portfolio contains companies active in renewable energy, medical
technology, health, information technology and new materials. New Value
assigns great value to ethical business concepts and good corporate
governance while selecting their portfolio companies. Criteria such as
meaningfulness, social responsibility and ecological sustainability are
considered by New Value as decisive competitive advantages, which affect
and enhance the quality of products and services offered and thus,
facilitate an above average increase of value potential. Since the
formation of New Value, EPS Value Plus AG, Zurich, has served as investment
manager.
Contact
New Value AG Tel. +41 43 344 38 38
Rolf Wägli Tel. +41 43 344 38 11, waegli@newvalue.ch
Peter Letter Tel. +41 43 344 38 18, letter@newvalue.ch
Information / www.newvalue.ch Email: info@newvalue.ch
Downloads www.epsvalueplus.ch Email: info@epsvalueplus.ch
24.06.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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Language: English
Issuer: NEW VALUE AG
Bodmerstrasse 9
8027 Zürich
Schweiz
Phone: +41-43-344 38 38
Fax: +41-43-344 38 39
E-mail: info@newvalue.ch
Internet: www.newvalue.ch
ISIN: CH0010819867
WKN: 552932
Listed: Freiverkehr in Berlin, München, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf; Open
Market in Frankfurt; Foreign Exchange(s) BX, SWX
End of News DGAP News-Service
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