At New Direction Partners, we often advise selling owners of printing businesses to be prepared to stay on in one role or another after the transaction closes. Because keeping a hand in the business at the new owner’s request is a given in so many deals, it’s helpful to have some idea of what the responsibility is going to entail and what psychological adjustments are going to be needed along the way.
M&A Directions
James A. Russell, partner at New Direction Partners, brings over 20 years of experience as a printing company executive having served as CEO of two family-owned graphic communication companies. During his tenure as owner and CEO of Arbor Press, a commercial printing company in Michigan, the company was an eight-time winner of the National Association for Printing Leadership’s (NAPL) prestigious Management Plus Awards program. Arbor Press was also recognized twice during his leadership as one of the 50 fastest growing printers in the country. Contact him at (610) 230-0635, ext. 703.
Thomas J. Williams is a partner in New Direction Partners (NDP), the leading provider of advisory services for printing and packaging firms seeking growth and opportunity through mergers and acquisitions. NDP assists its clients by giving them expert guidance and peace of mind at every stage of the process of buying or selling a printing or packaging company. Services include representing selling shareholders; acquisition searches; valuation; capital formation and financing; and strategic planning. NDP’s partners have participated in more than 300 mergers and acquisitions since 1979. Collectively they possess more than 200 years of industry experience with transactions in aggregate exceeding $2 billion. For information, email info@newdirectionpartners.com
Trade show season is just a few months away, with PRINT 17 returning to Chicago in September and the SGIA Expo kicking off its 2017 edition in New Orleans in October. At a trade show, you can make a shopping list of what you need to enter the ranks of the industry’s high-value acquisition candidates.
At New Direction Partners, we have seen that once a company has made its first successful geographic expansion, the experience may pique interest in making others. However it is accomplished, geographic expansion brings a range of strategic benefits to the buyer.
Recently, New Direction Partners spoke with a group of investors about structuring a multi-company transaction. It’s a conversation we wouldn't have expected to be having on behalf of printing firms just a few years ago.
You may be at the peak of your career as a printing company owner and still years away from selling what you’ve created. Nevertheless, you need to prepare for that step while time is still on your side.
As the former president of a Printing Industries of America regional affiliate, I had the good fortune to work with many smart and successful owners of thriving printing businesses. I had the greatest respect for their abilities, but then as now, there is one thing that I would never have recommended that they attempt: selling their companies without professional representation and advisement.
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