Print Management Firms Create GBP60m Company

Print management specialist Charterhouse finalised its acquisition of Intelligent Print Solutions (IPS), a print management operation based in Tonbridge, Kent(UK) yesterday.

Print management specialist Charterhouse finalised its acquisition of Intelligent Print Solutions (IPS), a print management operation based in Tonbridge, Kent(UK) yesterday.

The acquisition unites two of the country's leading independent print management firms in to an operation targeted to achieve a GBP60m plus turnover in 2006-2007, making it the fifth largest print management company in the UK, as defined by print spend.

The combined client base features many of the countries leading brands including: Airmiles, Cattles, ING Direct, Marks and Spencer, Waitrose, Wickes, Nissan, Powergen, Renault, Shell, Sony, T-Mobile, Unilever, and Which? Charterhouse said it has grown steadily over the past 35 years and has achieved a 33 per cent year on year organic growth over the last three years by expanding its facilities and services.

Gary Mahoney, Charterhouse's chief executive officer, said: "The opportunity to acquire IPS was very attractive.

The company has a great reputation, very similar structure, services and philosophy to us and a high level of synergy with our business.

By integrating IPS in to Charterhouse we not only broaden our portfolio of expertise and services, we also expand our expert support teams significantly.

IPS clients will continue to receive the high level of service it expects from their familiar account management teams." He added: "They will notice very little change on a day-to-day basis, but will have the confidence that they have the additional support of a well-established company committed to continuing investment in the best technology and expertise available." IPS founder Andrew Balcombe is pleased with the result and commented: "Over the past 10 years we have built IPS in to a very profitable company supporting market leading companies.

However, following my decision to diversify in to other areas I wanted to find a company that closely matched our own commercial and strategic philosophy and was committed to taking the company to the next stage of its development.

By choosing Charterhouse, we not only ensure the smooth integration of the company with a complementary partner, we also ensure IPS clients continue to receive first class service and support, and expand the range of services they can access in the future." The Charterhouse team remains unchanged with Gary Mahoney as CEO and Mike Newman as managing director.

Of the IPS directors - financial director John Munro, Matthew Stephens and Nick Pride join the board.

The company now employs 110 staff based at its offices in Hatfield, London, Tonbridge and Amsterdam, as well as on site at client premises.

About 80 per cent of Charterhouse's activity is in print management for brand owners and agencies, with particular speciality in direct mail, artwork, colour and brand management, POS, publications and outdoor advertising.

The company also provides specialist and consultancy services, such as print audits, supply chain assessment, transactional print management and targeted communications.

Also specialising in print management IPS has a particular focus on direct mail, supported by a stand-alone mailing and fulfilment operation.

The IPS brand will be retained alongside Charterhouse as Charterhouse Intelligent Print Solutions for a few months during a planned period of transition.

In October the company will unveil a new corporate brand and image across the whole, united business.

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