Business Management - M&A

It’s refreshing to be able to talk about M&As in the context of market expansion after a prolonged spell in contraction mode. How long the good times will stay good, no one can predict. But, it’s easier to foresee success for owners who understand that they will never have a better moment than the present one to seize the M&A opportunities that finally have come their way.

On Monday, the waiting period in connection with RR Donnelley’s acquisition of all outstanding common stock from Courier Corp. expired.

If you have reached a decision to sell, don’t delay setting the process in motion. If selling isn’t yet a step you’re ready to take, keep building your business in ways that will bring you to the attention of the private equity players. They’re attracted to companies that show they aren’t afraid to make the investments that set them apart as leaders of the positive change the industry is undergoing.

Certain assets of The Tab Shoppe, a manufacturer of custom printing and stock index tabs, have been acquired by B&D Binder and Index.

A definitive agreement has been reached whereby Cimpress will acquire one of the leading Web-to-print companies in Austria, Druck.at.

Based in Rochester, NY, The Riverside Group has been acquired by Finish Line Binderies and HF Group.

Printing Arts has acquired SR3 Solutions, a leading full service specialty packaging company in Van Nuys, CA.

Books were ascendant in the printing deal space as RR Donnelley swooped down and snatched Courier Corp. right out of the arms of Courier’s suitor of choice, Quad/Graphics. Almost two and half times larger than Quad, RRD was not about to let this opportunity escape as it did last year when Quad acquired Brown Printing in a sweetheart of a deal.

Paravista, FLM’s merger plan includes consolidating all operations, customer support, data management and administrative systems.

Paul Reilly and Peter Schaefer, Partners at New Direction Partners, discuss the recent RR Donnelley acquisitions of Consolidated Graphics and Courier Corp.