Year for Broken Records

The companies purchased by Houston-based Consolidated Graphics (at a rate of about one every two weeks) were generally smaller. But by the end of the year, Consolidated was no longer just a notable startup. It was an industry powerhouse commanding more than $600 million in annual sales.

The other established player in the acquisition chase was Englewood, CO-based Mail-Well. Most notable among its moves was the creation of a new commercial printing division, which included companies such as Clarke Printing of San Antonio, TX; French Bray, Baltimore; and United Litho, Boston.