Say goodbye to books
Digitisation is being heralded as the biggest change to the print industry since the invention of the printing press
Thursday, March 18 2010 || News || BY Lesley Springall
Opus Print Group chief executive Cliff Brigstocke says floating the group in New Zealand is one option directors are considering as the group seeks to digitise more of its technology and acquire other like-minded companies in New Zealand. “We have got to look at our capital base. We are at that juncture and we’re exploring the options, but we’ve not signed off on anything yet.”
Since New Zealand private equity company Knox Investment Partners invested in Australian short-run printing specialist Ligare in 2007, the group has added five other specialist printing companies to its books, including New Zealand-based out-of-home (such as billboards) print firms Omnigraphics and Cactus Imaging. Currently the company turns over about $100 million and employ 350 people, mainly in Australia. It’s about 70% owned by Knox, which has a predominantly South Island-based investor platform, 20% by Ligare founder Richard Celarc and the rest by the other directors of companies in the group. Brigstocke says none of the main shareholders are interested in selling out at this point. The group is being advised by Forsyth Barr in New Zealand.
