Flow, Omax Merger Clears FTC Hurdle

 Waterjet manufacturer Flow International announced that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accepted a consent decree that will permit the merger of Flow and Omax Corporation, also a manufacturer of abrasive waterjets. According to Flow CEO Charley Brown, the transaction is expected to close during the company's second fiscal quarter, which ends October 31. "Management teams of both companies can now focus on completing the definitive merger agreement and the necessary filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission," Mr. Brown says. The consent decree provides that Flow will make available to other abrasive waterjet companies royalty-free licenses to Omax's U.S. Patents 5,508,596 and 5,892,345, which relate to the controls used in waterjet cutting systems. These licenses, which expire in five years, do not include any transfer of technology, cover any other patented equipment or processes owned by the two companies, or apply to any intellectual property outside the U.S. For more information from Flow International, visit the company's MMSOnline Showroom. Fore more information from Omax, visit the company's MMSOnline Showroom.