Year in Review--A Torrent of M&A

The vast majority of the gulping and gobbling came from the growing cadre of "roll-up" companies, whose primary mission is to consolidate the commercial printing industry. Here's a rundown of some of the prominent acquisitions by each.

Memphis, TN-based Master Graphics continued to acquire companies during the first half of the year, including Thomasson Printing of Carollton, GA, Phoenix-based Woods Lithographics, Chicago-based Columbia Graphics and Indianapolis-based White Arts. But toward the end of the year, with about 20 companies in its system, Master's pace of acquisitions slowed, and it has reported losses for recent quarters.