So few outsiders buy printing companies these days that when an unknown investor shows an interest and takes over a web-known print business, all kinds of people sit up. There are the journalists like ourselves of course; there are suppliers scenting investment and orders and there are business owners who hope that they may be next.
Rizvi Sameer, one of the partners of RDCP who has bought Ancient House Printing, says he may be tempted to add a further print business, but not any print company. It must have an Ebitda of £1.5 million. And too many place unrealistic valuations on their businesses. Cue the disappointment of many of those hoping to catch the former banker’s eye. But he also sounds an optimistic note. His investigations suggest that the restructuring of print in the face of a digital onslaught, has now reached its final phase. Demand for print has stabilised, though this can hide many, many swirling and powerful currents which will continue to drive change.
Sameer and his partner Iryna Dubylovska come from a different generation to most print leaders. They have been brought up with digital channels and noise all around. They could be expected to invest in high growth start ups, not a supposedly failing industry like print. They are not looking at the same industry. Through the eyes of a long term investor, print is an industry that has undergone restructuring and if owners’ valuations on their businesses were to be more realistic, more outside investors would be tempted to look again at printing. For now, RDCP is welcome. We know that Sameer and Dubylovska will enjoy their ownership in print. We hope that it will be lucrative as well.
Many have called, few have been answered
So few outsiders buy printing companies these days that when an unknown investor shows an interest and takes over a web-known print business, all kinds of people sit up. There are the journalists like ourselves of course; there are suppliers scenting investment and orders and there are business owners who hope that they may be next.
Rizvi Sameer, one of the partners of RDCP who has bought Ancient House Printing, says he may be tempted to add a further print business, but not any print company. It must have an Ebitda of £1.5 million. And too many place unrealistic valuations on their businesses. Cue the disappointment of many of those hoping to catch the former banker’s eye. But he also sounds an optimistic note. His investigations suggest that the restructuring of print in the face of a digital onslaught, has now reached its final phase. Demand for print has stabilised, though this can hide many, many swirling and powerful currents which will continue to drive change.
Sameer and his partner Iryna Dubylovska come from a different generation to most print leaders. They have been brought up with digital channels and noise all around. They could be expected to invest in high growth start ups, not a supposedly failing industry like print. They are not looking at the same industry. Through the eyes of a long term investor, print is an industry that has undergone restructuring and if owners’ valuations on their businesses were to be more realistic, more outside investors would be tempted to look again at printing. For now, RDCP is welcome. We know that Sameer and Dubylovska will enjoy their ownership in print. We hope that it will be lucrative as well.
Gareth Ward
Explore more...