VISTA and Ingenta merge

Two providers of the technology that underpins many publishers’ services are joining together. VISTA International and Ingenta are merging to create Publishing Technology plc, which they claim will be the largest provider of publishing-specific software solutions to the publishing industry.

VISTA’s author2reader systems cover the print-publishing supply chain, while Ingenta brings its online publishing and internet expertise to the new company. Ingenta and VISTA’s existing business brands, such as VISTA, IngentaConnect, author2reader, Heron and PCG will be retained.

‘As electronic products continue to grow in importance to publishers we believe that they will be seeking to invest in the technologies that will harness both their print and electronic products,’ commented George Lossius, VISTA CEO and CEO designate of Publishing Technology.

The new company will employ approximately 180 people across North America and Europe and will have over 350 publishing customers, as well as 1,000 academic and corporate research library clients.

The agreement is expected to complete this month, subject to Ingenta shareholder approval. Under the terms of the agreement current VISTA shareholders will hold approximately 60 per cent of the shares in Publishing Technology.