OpenGate Capital Completes Acquisition of Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems from Esko

Manufacturing Business Well-Suited for OpenGate’s Digital Transformation Platform

LOS ANGELES, CA – April 6, 2021 – OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm, announced today the completed acquisition of Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (“Kongsberg”), from Esko. Kongsberg is a manufacturer of digital cutting systems, a global developer of integrated software and hardware solutions for the packaging, label, and wide format sectors. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Established in 1965, Kongsberg is recognized leader in providing high speed, clean, precision cutting for packaging, signage, and display purposes with operational facilities in Belgium, Czech Republic, and Norway.

OpenGate Capital’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Nikou stated, “With the heightened focus on digitization in the industrial sector, Kongsberg is well positioned to develop new operational efficiencies and innovative solutions to drive organic growth. This is an exciting time in Kongsberg’s evolution, and we are looking forward to collaborating together in the years ahead.”

OpenGate intends to leverage the firm’s OG^x® platform to accelerate Kongsberg’s growth. Launched in 2018, the firm’s proprietary OG^x platform is an operational capability for fostering digital transformation. OG^x combines continuous innovation with strategic partnerships to fulfill a vision of driving commercial excellence, operational growth and, ultimately investment performance. As industrial companies are rapidly adopting technology as a driver of growth, OpenGate is fast becoming a leader in the development of digital transformation applications for businesses within the lower-to-middle market.

The acquisition of Kongsberg highlights OpenGate Capital’s longstanding history of investing across European region since 2007 as well as the firm’s continued focus on identifying global opportunities within the industrial sector. Kongsberg is the eighth platform investment and fifth corporate carve-out completed in OpenGate’s second fund.

About OpenGate Capital

OpenGate Capital is a global private equity firm specializing in the acquisition and operation of businesses to create new value through operational improvements, innovation, and growth. Established in 2005, OpenGate Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with a European office in Paris, France. OpenGate’s professionals possess the critical skills needed to acquire, transition, operate, build, and scale successful businesses. To date, OpenGate Capital, through its legacy and fund investments, has executed more than 30 acquisitions including corporate carve-outs, management buyouts, special situations, and transactions with private sellers across North America and Europe. To learn more about OpenGate, please visit www.opengatecapital.com.