Punch

Punch International is a Belgian diversified industrial group focusing on providing total solutions.
Over the years, Punch has evolved from a traditional subcontractor to the electronics industry to a company where technology, research and development play a prominent role.
Today Punch provides total solutions to end-users in segments of the graphics, agriculture, telematics and telemetry industries. In addition, the group also operates as a subcontractor providing tailor-made services to the automotive, consumer electronics, agro-food and display industries.
Employing more than 3,400 people worldwide, Punch operates in production facilities across Europe, Asia, and North and South America.
In 2004, Punch reached a turnover in excess of EUR 215 million and an EBIT of EUR 12.1 million. Punch International (PUN) is listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange (Euronext) since 1999, and is part of the NextPrime Index.



Corporate History
2005
February - Punch takes over Adifil, French company specialised in plastics assemblies for the automotive industry.
March - Punch acquires remaining shares held by OVP management in Punch PlastX Holding. Punch now holds 100% of the shares. OVP activities are integrated with other plastics activities of the group.
May - Punch becomes reference shareholder of Prolion, Dutch producer of automatic milking systems listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
May - Punch Graphix is admitted to trading on the London Alternative Investment Market (AIM) following a successful fundraising of 30 million euros (before expenses) new money. Tickersymbol: PGX .
2004
January – Acquisition of assets, technology and personnel of Acunia.
January – Divestment of minority interest in Wanson Industries.
February – Formation of a joint venture with OVP, which would group all plastics activities.
February – Xeikon Nordic is added to list of Xeikon subsidiaries.
March – Xeikon Italia is created to cover sales and service of Xeikon products in Italy.
May – Xeikon Eastern Europe joins the list of Xeikon subsidiaries.
June - Xeikon Scandinavia completes the list of Xeikon subsidiaries.
July - Acquisition of basysPrint, German CTcP™ specialist.
September - Acquisition of the shares of Taiwanese partner in joint venture Jiin Hui
December - 'Stora Enso Digital Solutions', a joint venture between Stora Enso and Xeikon, kicks-off.


Industries
Over the years, Punch has evolved from a manufacturer of electronic components to a company where technology, research and development play a prominent role.
The various operational activities of the group are organised through three specialised divisions:
Manufacturing Services groups the traditional subcontracting and production activities for the automotive, consumer electronics and television industries worldwide. In 2004 this division represented almost 53% of group turnover.
Graphic Solutions encompasses the activities of Punch Graphix, founded in March 2005. Punch Graphix was formed through the acquisition by Punch of Xeikon (digital colour printing equipment and consumables), Strobbe Graphics (computer-to-plate technology) and basysPrint (computer-to-conventional-plate technology) between 2000 and 2004. In May 2005, Punch Graphix achieved a separate listing on London's Alternative Investment Market ('PGX'). The activities of Punch Graphix accounted for 47% of group turnover in 2004.
Wireless Applications coordinates the research and development activities of Advantra International (telemetry) and Acunia International (telematics).