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Photobition has YET again expanded its presence in the US with the $11.5m (#7.3m) acquisition of Applied Graphic Technologies' photographic laboratory business. Formerly part of the Wace Group, the laboratories are in New York, Los Angeles and Florida and will be combined with existing Photobition businesses within the next year.Applied Graphic Technologies is the largest provider of outsourced digital media asset management services in the US, but it has recently experienced financing difficulties and has asked investment bankers to advise it about a sale of all or parts of its business. The proceeds from the sale, set to be about $9m after taxes, will pay off debt.The AGT laboratory businesses last year produced an operating profit of $567,000 from a turnover of $27.2m. The US digital prepress, display and photographic imaging market is thought to be worth $20bn per year.The Photobition company recently announced its intention to double turnover in the US by June through acquisitions. Eddie Marchbanks, chairman and chief executive, says Photobition has reached "critical mass" in the UK, despite having achieved sales of just #55m in a #1.3bn domestic market. The company wants to expand US sales to $250m.