Latest Trends and Current Environment for Strategic Transactions
Subject of NAPL/MFSA M&A Conference in Alexandria, Va.
 
Executives and owners from a wide variety of printing and graphic communications companies gathered here for the inaugural NAPL/MFSA Mergers & Acquisitions Conference heard from top industry professionals and from their graphic communications industry peers about the most pressing issues facing the industry and what they can do now to get out in front of, and benefit from these trends.

Jointly produced by the National Association for Printing Leadership and the Mailing & Fulfillment Services Association, the first-of-its-kind industry event focused on the structural transformation of the industry, resulting in the contraction and consolidation of industry firms. This trend, according to NAPL, is likely to increase in intensity and will last for several more years as the industry continues to contract and redefine itself.

Setting the stage for the two-day conference, NAPL Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Andrew Paparozzi revealed the results of a recent NAPL study on M&A trends and showed how business leaders are thinking strategically about opportunities for growth through acquisition. "Conditions are certainly favorable for this type of activity," said Paparozzi.  "Forward-looking owners are realizing growth opportunities and are finding creative ways to enhance and expand their businesses"

Citing examples from an NAPL white paper on the study, which will be released this fall, Paparozzi said that many factors enter into the decision to pursue growth through acquisition, beyond the most obvious?growing sales. "That is certainly a big issue, but there are many other corporate development objectives that may be satisfied through the acquisition process," said Paparozzi.

"Participants in our study also cited acquisition of technical, sales and service and executive talent, technology enhancements, adding a new product/service line and geographic expansion as some of the benefits of M&A initiatives," he added.
 
Conference sessions included tax and estate planning, private equity financing, family business issues, and maximizing the value of the closely held business.  All sessions were recorded and will be made available to the attendees. Each attendee also received a copy of the newly published book, "Strategic Growth: The NAPL Guide to Mergers & Acquisitions," featuring insights from two leading industry M&A experts, NAPL Senior Vice President John Hyde and RH Rosen & Associates Founder Robert H. Rosen.    

A no-nonsense introduction to industry M&A, Strategic Growth takes the reader step-by-step through preparing a company for sale, completing a valuation, finding acquisition targets, and moving through the negotiation process effectively and efficiently. The 195-page trade paperback also includes case studies that illustrate some of the possibilities and pitfalls of strategic acquisitions and how to be prepared to leverage opportunities when they arise.
 
For more information about the conference, conference records, or NAPL M&A survey white paper, or to order a copy of "Strategic Growth: The NAPL Guide to Mergers & Acquisitions," please call (800) 642-6275.