Scan-Tron to Acquire Interest in Swiss Firm

Scan-Tron Corp. said it agreed to acquire a 50% interest in Feller Informatique of Villeret, Switzerland, a maker of optical mark-and-character-reading equipment, for $2.1 million in cash.

Completion of the transaction is expected within 30 days, said Scan-Tron, a Tustin-based maker of optical mark-reading equipment used in testing and the planning of hospital meals. Optical mark-reading equipment uses fiber-optic technology to read pencil marks made on standardized forms, which Scan-Tron also makes and sells. The character-reading equipment Feller makes can read letters and numbers written in pencil, as well as pencil marks on test forms.

Sepsi S.A. of Paris, France, will retain its 50% share of Feller, which will be renamed Datascan S.A. Feller reported 1985 annual sales of $3.3 million.

Scan-Tron has been distributing Feller equipment in the United States. The acquisition will enable Scan-Tron to share technology with its new partner, said John T. Saunders, president of Scan-Tron. “The agreement also gives us a vehicle to sell Scan-Tron products in Europe,” he said.