BUSINESS / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine 10 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk November / December 2024 - Issue 351 Antalis, a distributor of papers, packaging, and visual communications, has announced it has acquired the EMEA Xerox paper business which distributes office paper and digital printing products in more than 40 countries. The deal includes exclusive marketing and distribution rights of Xerox-branded paper and digital printing media in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, India, and Africa. Over the past year Antalis has continued to expand its portfolio with several acquisitions of European brands including the acquisition of 100 metros in Portugal and the reintroduction of Keaykolour, which was previously owned by Arjowiggins. The deal means that Antalis is the sole distributor of Xerox-branded paper in EMEA following the 2013 acquisition of the Xerox Western Europe paper business. Currently the deal is subject to other customary closing conditions and competition approval in some countries. The acquisition means Antalis can strengthen its position in the office paper market as well as the “fast-growing” digital printing market. Hervé Poncin, chief executive officer of Antalis, says: "While our strategy remains to develop in fast-growing countries and high-potential markets such as packaging, we have always affirmed the need to participate in the consolidation of the papers distribution business. At the beginning of the year Xerox announced a new operating model and organisational structure to further the company’s “reinvention”. This restructure included the realignment of its executive team as well as new priorities and intended outcomes in its core print business, global business services, IT, and digital services. Antalis acquires EMEA Xerox business Xerox has sold off its European paper business during the restructure of the company The future of direct mail, fulfilment, and print company, RNB Group, is said to have been secured thanks to a sale led by Begbies Traynor Group to PDMF. Securing the jobs of all 30 employees, the sale was led by Bob Maxwell and Louise Longley of Begbies Traynor Group. Citing mounting cash flow issues, the directors of RNB Group sought the help of Begbies Traynor Group to market the business. The sale garnered substantial interest and the business subsequently went to PDMF, a print and delivery services company which agreed to the deal two weeks later. Following the sale, all 30 jobs have been transferred to PDMF which will continue to operate the business from its existing site. RNB Group’s future secured thanks to sale of business Bob Maxwell, joint administrator of Begbies Traynor Group By David Osgar Multi-brand franchise operator, XplorerGroup, has acquired design and print brand Kall Kwik from The Bardon Group. Kall Kwik joins the XplorerGroup’s growing portfolio which includes children’s education brands ComputerXplorers and ActiveXplorers, and lead management system, Discover My Franchise. Kall Kwik, a provider of printed materials and designs for brands with 32 centres across the UK, has been in business since 1979. As well as printed materials, the company provides customers with personalised websites as well as marketing, sales, and financial advice. Speaking of the acquisition, Xplorer Group chief executive officer, Stuart Harley, says: “Kall Kwik is a popular, established brand in the world of print and digital and has already proved itself adept at adapting to changing community and business requirements by expanding its offering from printing services to a one-stop design, print, and online solution for businesses.” The acquisition comes shortly after XplorerGroup relaunched its children’s computer education brand, ComputerXplorers, in the US. ComputerXplorers was also acquired from the Bardon Group in 2021. As well as Kall Kwik, The Bardon Group also owns promotional clothing and products brand Recognition Express, and IT cleaning services brand Techclean. Nigel Toplis, managing director of The Bardon Group and non-executive chairman of Kall Kwik, says: “I have always said that we are only ever custodians of great brands and to ensure we develop and grow we need to continually infuse the system with new ideas, younger blood, and a contemporary mentality.” XplorerGroup acquires Kall Kwik Birmingham-based SME printing company, Set and Match, has completed a management buyout (MBO) thanks to an Asset Based Lending (ABL) deal with Time Finance. Comprising a £70,000 Invoice Finance facility and a £70,000 Secured Loan, the deal has enabled managing director Stuart Mills to buy out the existing shareholders. The £140,000 ABL deal was facilitated by Time Finance’s broker partner, Paul Varley, at Navigate Commercial Finance. As a result of the MBO, Mills will merge Colprint (which Set and Match acquired in 2002) with Mills' business and own Set and Match outright. Mills will focus on growing the business’ print services. Set and Match set for MBO following funding success [L to R] A member of the Set and Match printing team with MD Stuart Mills, Rob Walters from Time Finance, and Paul Varley from Navigate Commercial Finance Kall Kwik has 32 centres across the UK and has been in business since 1979 By Jonathan Pert
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