New Owners for Print Chain AlphaGraphics

Doc has been interested to see the changes happening in the commercial printing industry where volume is down and competition is high. So it's curious that business and marketing communications franchisor AlphaGraphics, Inc., formerly owned by the UK-based G A Pindar & Son Ltd., has been purchased by an affiliate of Maryland-based private equity fund Blackstreet Capital Partners II.

Blackstreet typically purchases under-performing companies. But according to the company, AlphaGraphics is profitable and does not fall into this category. The franchise company has weathered some difficult economic times.

AlphaGraphics business centers offer a complete range of print, visual communications and marketing products and solutions, including full-service digital, offset and large format printing; design services; mailing and one-to-one marketing services; promotional products and digital archiving.

Doc will be paying attention to see what happens next – private equity buyers are usually in for the short term, looking to maximize profits and cut costs so they can re-sell at a profit. AlphaGraphics has done a good job of diversifying its product offerings, but it's still primarily a printing operation, and that seems a little scary in this era.