M&A REPORT -- New Era of Consolidation

Many eyes are focused on Quebecor World which, while not a frequently active consolidator, tends to make a rather large splash with its mergers and acquisitions. According to Rick Lane, executive vice president at Quebecor World, the company is open to two types of acquisitions: "Those of a publisher/printer, as in our recent Hachette transaction, where we can have certainty of business going forward through a long-term contract. We are also open to niche acquisitions to strengthen a business line, or to fill in a geography, such as in our Retail Printing acquisition last year," he says.