A spokesman for the Boizenburg-based company said: "At the moment, unfortunately basysPrint is in a financial crisis. Negotiations with potential investors are still in progress." He said that a decision on the future of the company could be announced by the end of the week.

Industry sources have said that Punch International, the Belgian manufacturing group which owns Xeikon and Strobbe Graphics, is the front-runner to buy the business.

BasysPrint, a pioneer of CTCP, could become a victim of the renewed interest in the technology following Esko-Graphics' launch of its Espresso, which will go on sale for 65,000 at the beginning of next year.

Sources said that sales of basysPrint machines had stalled in anticipation of the availability of the Espresso, launched at this year's Drupa. As PrintWeek went to press, Punch was unavailable for comment.

Story by Darryl Danielli