Banta Corp. Forms Mexican Partnership
MENASHA, WI-Banta Corp. has formed a joint venture with Grupo Imagen, a sheetfed printer based in Queretaro, Mexico. The agreement is a cash transaction that gives Banta a 50 percent interest in the joint venture Banta G. Imagen S. de R.L. de C.V. Other terms of the agreement were not released.
Grupo Imagen provides a variety of products and services in the commercial print category, specializing in the production of direct marketing materials, brochures, personalized print products, promotional items and point-of-purchase materials.
Banta Chairman Donald D. Belcher says the company gives Banta important strategic advantages and expands its presence in the growing Latin American print market.
"Grupo Imagen advances our strategy of expanding globally to meet the needs of our existing customers," says Belcher. "In addition to having a number of prominent Mexican companies as customers, it has solid relationships with several U.S. multinational companies, many of which are current Banta customers. While expanding relationships with new and existing customers is important, equally appealing is the more formal working relationship we now have with Grupo Imagen's highly professional and talented management team."
Banta has previously worked with Grupo Imagen on a number of projects involving clients' requirements for services in Mexico and Latin America. "The company's reputation for providing exceptional customer service and on-time delivery led us to seek out this expanded business relationship," adds Belcher.
Grupo Imagen Chairman Raymundo Del Castillo notes, "The relationship that Banta and Grupo Imagen have built over the past five years convinced us that in addition to being a leader in printing and digital imaging, Banta is a company that places great value in its human resources. Banta's outstanding leadership and flexible structure, along with its extraordinary vision to the future, make our joint venture a unique player in both the Mexican and Latin American markets."
Del Castillo becomes chairman of the joint venture, with operating management leadership provided by Grupo Imagen Director General Salvador Ayala.
Grupo Imagen's sales office, design center and digital prepress facility are in Mexico City, while its printing plant is in Queretaro, about 90 miles northwest of Mexico City.
In November 1998, Banta entered the South American market by acquiring a 30 percent interest in printer Morgan Impresores, based in Santiago, Chile.