BARCO Acquires Metheus Corporation to Strengthen its Medical Imaging Group and Increase its Market Share for C4I and ATC

« The combined resources of the two entities will provide unique opportunities in the medical market worldwide. BARCO can now offer complete integrated display solutions to its OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) global joint customer base. In addition, BARCO will continue to market and sell the existing and future Metheus product lines under the BARCO Metheus name, » says Luc Vandenbroucke, Managing Director of BARCO Display Systems and Vice President of BARCO N.V.

BARCO Display Systems’ Medical Imaging Group has established a solid reputation in the medical imaging market with high performance display technology for ultrasound, magnetic resonance, and more recently, with greyscale displays for X-ray, digital radiography and PACS applications (Picture Archiving and Communication System).

For further expansion in the medical imaging field, BARCO’s strategy involves the combination of medical displays with dedicated imaging boards to offer a unique integrated solution to its customers. Since 1981, Metheus has been a successful player in the field of graphics controllers. In 1997, BARCO selected Metheus to become the supplier of its customized medical imaging boards.

In addition to the medical aspects, this acquisition is also beneficial to the BARCO VME and PCI graphics controller business of C4I and ATC. The acquisition brings together the two most experienced design teams (Chromatics and Metheus), forming a world class development organization which can meet the increasing demands of both of these critical niche markets. All of the products from both BARCO and Metheus will continue to be supported with extended service capabilities worldwide. It is the intention of BARCO to continue to grow in the C4I and ATC niche markets, to aggressively pursue new business and program opportunities, and to continue to invest in strategic product development and product innovation to maintain its market leadership position.

Metheus, headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, USA was a privately held company that was founded in 1981 by Tektronix scientists and engineers who pioneered high-resolution color graphics workstations. Metheus has been building reliable graphics controllers for over 18 years, and received ISO 9001 certification in 1996. Their engineers continuously develop products that are on the leading edge of today's technology. Their high design standards and rigorous quality control yield products that have proven to be among the most reliable in the industry.

All of Metheus’ associates (40) in the USA and the UK, including the current management team, will remain in place. In 1998, Metheus’ revenue amounted to 9 million USD. The company is profitable. Products will be sold worldwide through the BARCO Display Systems sales organizations. BARCO Display Systems will further invest in equipment and people, and is confident that Metheus will only add profit to the BARCO group.

Metheus will be integrated into the Imaging Systems division of BARCO Display Systems, headed by Jean-Pierre Paret, Division Manager Imaging Systems and will become the worldwide center of expertise for the medical imaging boards. For the C4I and ATC markets and their sales and distribution worldwide, they will join the Chromatics Division. Operationally, they will be under BARCO Display Systems America, headed by Dave Scott, General Manager and Executive Vice President of BARCO Display Systems America.

About BarcoView:
BarcoView with operation facilities in Kortrijk (Belgium), Toulouse (France), Atlanta, Georgia and Portland, Oregon (USA) designs and manufactures high-resolution display systems, displays, graphics controllers and display subsystems for highly demanding niche markets such as C4I, avionics, vessel and air traffic control, vehicle electronics, and medical imaging applications.

Alongside Barco Projection Systems and BarcoVision, BarcoView is one of the three strategic activities of the BARCO Group, which are all active in Image Processing. Barco Projection is in various markets of large screen visualization, whereas BarcoVision develops systems for visual inspection and quality control. In 2000, the entire BARCO group delivered a turnover of euro 751 million. BARCO has a network of subsidiaries, distributors and agents in 97 countries throughout the world. BARCO has been quoted on the Brussels Stock Exchange since 1986, and is now quoted on Brussels/Euronext. BARCO is a BEL 20 and a Next 150 company and is member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.

For more information, please contact

Inge Govaerts
Public Relations Manager
Barco Security & Monitoring

Telephone +32 56 36 8052
inge.govaerts@barco.com