Consolidation--The Ties That Bind?

"Even if they don't sell, this process maximizes profits and makes their firms healthier. Companies should take a hard look at their capital expenditures."

Even those whose livelihood rests on frequent M&A activity believe the smaller, independent printer is not likely to disappear any time soon. Harris DeWese, of Compass Capital Partners, a banking firm specializing in the printing industry that primarily represents sellers, believes they will endure. In 1998, Compass represented the selling shareholders of 20 printing companies to eight different industry consolidators.