John R. DePaul

ST. LOUIS—The Von Hoffmann Corp. has signed a stock purchase agreement to acquire the Lehigh Press for approximately $110 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. Founded in 1924, the Lehigh Press is a highly specialized component printer with market leadership positions in both book covers and direct marketing materials. Lehigh's operating platform includes Pennsauken, NJ-based Lehigh Lithographers, which provides component printing and digital premedia services, and Broadview, IL-based Lehigh Direct, which provides advanced direct marketing services. Lehigh employs approximately 450 people. In 2002, privately held Lehigh Press reported net sales of nearly $120 million, excluding its Puerto Rico affiliate. The company anticipates that its total

Cherry Hill, NJ—Growth and success have been a consistent part of the Lehigh Press tradition since the company was founded, and are the sources for its confidence in a dynamic and expanding future. They are also bottom-line issues that are changing the direction of an industry leader. Lehigh operates in four industry sectors, including direct marketing, book components for EL-HI publishers, electronic prepress, and pharmaceutical inserts and labels in Puerto Rico (JV). Lehigh is currently ranked 50th among the nation's top 500 printers by Printing Impressions. Under new management since May 1998, the company grew 20 percent in its direct marketing print operations