Kidlington, Oxfordshire-based Databiz (UK) Ltd has been acquired by Germany’s premier replicator Optical Disc Service (ODS) GmbH, through a UK-based subsidiary ODS Business Services.

DVD Intelligence understands that Databiz was on the verge of bankruptcy since November of last year. Former MD Kildare Borrowes, active in the International Disc Duplication Association, of which Databiz was a member, has left.

A month ago, ODS Business Services acquired the assets of SDC Thamesdown, another independent replicator (see story).

Founded in 1998, with a staff of 1000, ODS is Europe’s largest optical disc manufacturer. The manufacturing of DVDs started in 2002. Today, the company boasts a daily capacity of 3.3m discs, about 45% DVDs. It has the largest Auto-Packing centre in Europe. Major clients in the UK include AOL UK, British Telecom and Associated Newspapers. It is the leader in covermounts, where it is said to have a 70% market share of this sector in the UK.

German industry magazine PC Welt reported that the ODS offices have been searched earlier this month by tax investigators, customs officials and employees of the public prosecution department. The public prosecutor’s office said the investigation was linked to tax irregularities. ODS declined to comment.

An extension of the factory premises had been planned for the end of 2005. Although financial support of the Schwerin county (Mecklenburg–West Pomerania länder) was confirmed, plans have been cancelled. Many employees are concerned about their job as most of them, living in the region, have been trained free of charge by the Agency for Employment to boost employment in this economically-disadvantaged region of former East-Germany.

Story filed 11.04.06