Consolidation--The Ties That Bind?

Like Frick, Davis believes there will be an ample market share for independently-owned printers. Both Davis and Chris Colville, Consolidated's executive vice president of mergers and acquisitions, contend that their acquired companies are operated in the same manner as independents.

"It's difficult to pass a business down generation after generation," Davis remarks. "Certainly there have been some successful third- and fourth-generation family businesses, but that's a difficult transition. Rather than pass the business on to children who may not have an interest in the business, owners have an option. They can take some or all of the net worth out of the business, reap some rewards and join a consolidator."