Authentix closes takeover of Dutch security printer

US authentication company Authentix has closed its acquisition of Netherlands based security printing company Royal Joh. Enschedé from private equity company Nimbus.

Founded in 1703, Joh. Enschedé produces security documents, postage stamps and banknotes – as well as brand protection technologies – and according to Authentix chief executive Kevin McKenna will give the company a leg-up in its efforts to win contracts from governments, central banks and commercial brand owners.

The Haarlem-based firm has been a frontrunner in the “digital-physical cross-over technological transition”, in other words giving physical items a digital identity, according to an Authentix statement, which said that Joh. Enschedé will remain a stand-alone operating entity that will retain and integrate its respective brands within the Authentix group.

The deal provides an exit for Nimbus, which bought 95 per cent of Joh. Enschedé’s shares back in 2014 when the banknote printer was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Now, it produces euro banknotes for several countries, as well as stamps for dozens more, and has expanded into new areas including security documents like ballot papers, diplomas and certificates, temperature-monitoring and anti-counterfeit technologies for industries including food and pharma, and augmented reality.

The deal – terms of which have not been disclosed – is Authentix’ second takeover in the security printing sector in the last few years, coming after it bought UK-based SPS Ltd in 2019, and the latest in a series of bolt-on deals aimed at broadening its technological capabilities.

In 2021 it also acquired Strategic IP Information (SIPI), a Singapore-based company providing online brand and content rights protection services, while in 2020 it bolstered its position in codes used in covert marking applications by acquiring Traceless from US library services group Biblioteca.