Universal extends offering through merger

The Universal Print Group has merged with Flexoprint, manufacturers of self-adhesive labels and Point Of Sale (POS) products, to create one of the largest commercial print companies in South Africa. As a result of the merger, the company is forecasting a turnover of over R500 million in the current year, with an anticipated ‘real’ growth rate of 15 per cent per annum.

Group managing director of the ‘new look’ Universal Print Group, Harish Mehta, says that the primary reason for the merger was to facilitate growth for both companies.

‘We had similar objectives, so it made sense for us to combine our interests. As a result we will have so much more to offer our customers, staff and shareholders.’

‘The diversity of products we now have to offer in areas of brand development and promotion can take our customer to market quicker than ever before,’ says Mehta. ‘Our promise to deliver the ‘total print communication solution’ to our customer has never been more possible and exciting.’

‘Printing has become a global activity and business communication borderless. Your customer can be anywhere at any time, yet through the use of the most sophisticated computerized print processes we believe that the Universal Print Group can still deliver a job quicker, easier and better than our competition.

’With the new structure the Universal Print Group comprises four divisions: Web Division, Point Of Sale (POS) Division, the Labels Division and Forms Division. The combined staff complement of the merged company is 740 people.

The head office will remain in Durban with a sales office in Johannesburg and representation in Cape Town and East London.