M&A Activity -- Expect a Surge in Mergers

Expect to See Some Dramatic Consolidation Activity

I estimate that the 2004-2009 consolidation era will see more than $30 billion in aggregate print sales change hands. Buyers will pay more than $20 billion to acquire these revenues. Overall, I expect 3,000 to 5,000 printing companies to disappear and thus shrink approximately 30,000 press cylinders and about 15 percent of the jobs out of the market. This will occur despite overall print demand increasing at rates of 4 percent to 7 percent annually.