Image Centre passes NZ$50m mark with Dpod acquisition

Image Centre managing director David Atkins said Dpod had a strong reputation for cut-sheet digital, large-format and grand-format printing.

"We are strong in sheetfed printing, but we can see that the most exciting growth opportunities lie in the digital area. There are significant efficiencies in use of machinery and rationalising premises, but the main benefit is the talent we can offer," he said.

The terms of the going-concern transaction were not disclosed, but Atkins did reveal that the deal had added NZ$10 million ($8 million) of revenue to Image Centre, which has grown turnover from NZ$20 million to more than NZ$50 million in the past five years.

Dpod will continue operating under its own name. All but three of its approximately 40 staff have been offered employment, said Atkins.

[Feature: Atkins tours Japan with Komori]

The company's Auckland premises will close, with the division being relocated to Image Centre's Auckland headquarters. The future of the Wellington site is still being determined, but it will probably be retained and even expanded, he said.

Dpod's machinery includes three HP Indigos, two Xerox Color 1000s, an HP Turbojet, a Roland DG Soljet Pro4 XR-640 and a five-colour Heidelberg press.

Image Centre has more than 200 staff and contains seven other companies, including signage, advertising, publishing and video production businesses.

Atkins said Dpod would grow "significantly" as part of an "integrated omni-channel provider". Dpod can now draw on economies of scale and offer new services such as A1 printing, he added.

Atkins told ProPrint that Image Centre had long admired Dpod's capabilities and talent, and had made three or four attempts to buy the firm since 2004.

Dpod chief executive Andrew Nalder said the buyout was a win-win deal.

"This is a great example of one plus one equalling three. We live in a world of blur, with differing media channels merging into one another. It makes sense for us to consolidate and access the wider offering Image Centre Group has with its family of brands."

[Related: More M&A news]

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