Consolidation--The Juggernaut Hits the Wall

Nearly all those asked said they were undertaking similar steps. "We responded by re-grouping management and re-focusing on the day-to-day business operations that were so successful before the consolidation," reveals IGI's Faucetta.

The past year has also seen a rough-and-tumble shakeout of the companies involved in printing industry acquisition. The well-managed companies remain on their feet, albeit quietly, but some others have sunk almost out of sight, leaving the companies acquired by them in rather precarious positions.