Consolidated Graphics Strengthens Its International Footprint Via Joint Venture

HOUSTON—April 19, 2012—Consolidated Graphics announced the formation of a new joint venture with Asian printer Yamagata Corp. The investment comes as Consolidated Graphics experiences an increased focus on international growth to service its multinational corporation customer base.

Consolidated Graphics has held a strategic alliance with Yamagata since 2008, and recently deepened the relationship with a 51-percent ownership stake in the joint venture’s Gero, Japan operation.

As a result of the two companies’ combined investments, the new entity—CGX Yamagata Japan GK—offers one of the most advanced digital printing facilities in Asia. The Gero facility is integrated with Consolidated Graphics’ digital production infrastructure, and broadens the services Yamagata and CGX provide to the clientele the business serves.

“We’ve worked closely with Yamagata leadership and operations for several years now, and our opportunities for partnership continue to grow,” says Steven Brown, executive vice president of International Business Development for Consolidated Graphics. “With the increased demand from our larger customers in the United States for international solutions, committing ourselves financially and strategically to growth in our capabilities is a natural next step.”

“We are honored and excited about our joint venture with Consolidated Graphics, and hope that Yamagata’s strength in China and Southeast Asia, along with CGX’s commercial printing leadership in the United States, will strengthen and lead to future growth opportunities for both companies,” says Ryuji Yamagata, CEO and chairman of Yamagata group.

Coupled with excellent manufacturing and technology solutions, CGX Yamagata Japan will act as a commerce portal to Asia for Consolidated Graphics’ U.S.-based customers. Tapping into Yamagata’s extensive Asian production footprint that spans 12 countries, including China, Thailand, Malaysia and India, the new company is better equipped to meet clients’ goals as the result of additional CGX resources and personnel in the region.

In addition to the Gero, Japan facility, Consolidated Graphics has acquired certain assets of Yamagata America to establish an International Project Management Office in San Diego, CA, which will focus on the management of international projects and programs.

“Consolidated Graphics is the global leader in commercial digital production,” added Brown, “and we hope to extend our leadership globally making it easier for our clients to manage their communications and brand.”

About Consolidated Graphics
Consolidated Graphics, Inc. (CGX), headquartered in Houston, is one of North America's leading general commercial printing companies. With 70 printing businesses strategically located across 27 states, Toronto and Prague, and now Asia, CGX offers an unmatched geographic footprint, unsurpassed capabilities, and unparalleled levels of convenience, efficiency and service. With locations in virtually every major U.S. market, CGX provides service and responsiveness of a local printer enhanced by the economic, geographic and technological advantages of a large international organization. Consolidated Graphics' vast and technologically advanced sheetfed and web printing capabilities are complemented by the world’s largest integrated digital footprint. By coupling North America's most comprehensive printing capabilities with strategically located fulfillment centers and industry-leading technology, CGX delivers end-to-end print production and management solutions that are based on the needs of our customers to improve their results.

About Yamagata
Founded in 1906, Yamagata provides printing, planning, production, translation and technology services in Japan and overseas. YAMAGATA specializes in the production, translation and printing of instruction manuals for products such as automobiles, aircrafts, televisions and personal computers, and currently produces instruction manuals for more than 40% of the mobile phone products on the market with localization service support in over 40 languages. Yamagata also provides services relating to the utilization of new digital media, database-use documentation, the analysis and production of user interfaces.

Source: CGX.