Hologic Inc. continued it buying tare this week. In another move announced yesterday, the company announced it has acquired the maker of the photoconductor materials in its flat panel detector's — AEG Elektrofotografie GmbH — and its group of related companies for a purchase price of $26.4 million subject to adjustment, plus a one-year earn-out of $2.1 million. With the acquisition, Hologic takes direct control over its detector manufacturing process, Hologic said.

AEG Elektrofotografie is a privately held company headquartered in Warstein, Germany, that manufactures photoconductor materials. The company has been Hologic’s sole supplier of amorphous selenium photoconductor coatings used in its Selenia full-field digital mammography detectors. AEG Elektrofotografie also develops, manufactures, and sells photoconductor materials for use in a variety of electro photographic applications, including copying and printing.

Hologic and AEG Elektrofotografie had previously developed a close collaborative relationship, including in manufacturing and research and development.  The combination of the companies should facilitate further manufacturing efficiencies and accelerate research and development of new detector products.    

“The agreement to acquire AEG Elektrofotografie is consistent with the company’s long-term strategic plan,” said Jack Cumming, chairman and CEO of Hologic. “With our amorphous selenium detector technology, we are well positioned to benefit from the transition of analog to digital mammography. Bringing amorphous selenium technology in-house should allow us to more efficiently manage our supply chain, improve manufacturing margins and respond to the continued growth of Selenia and future product development requirements.”