The Kalamazoo Group of Companies, arguably the largest printing house of its type in New Zealand, has acquired Wickliffe Limited, with all its assets and personnel to form yet another largest independent operation.
Kalamazoo Managing Director Steve D’Souza signed an agreement with Wickliffe Executive Chairman Warren Leslie legalising the takeover in Auckland on August 2.
No acquisition figure was mentioned, but Indian Newslink can reveal that the Kalamazoo Group (excluding Wickliffe) has a turnover of $33 million, up from $4 million in 2004, when Mr D’Souza and his wife purchased the company.
Since then, it has bought out ‘Computer Forms’ (May 2005), Raven Print (February 2007), Wyatt & Wilson (April 2009), Publishing Press (September 2009) and now Wickliffe Limited (August 2010).
The acquisition of Wickliffe took effect immediately.
Mr D’Souza said the merger would create a new company called, ‘Graphics and Logistics Solutions Group.’
“The entire staff of Wickliffe, a complement of 250, will be transferred to the new Group and we will streamline operations to ensure that quality of products and services continues to enhance to guarantee customer satisfaction and market growth. The synergies between the two organisations are clear,” he said.
He said he would keep the Kalamazoo and Wickliffe as separate brands despite coming under a single ownership that includes his wife Odelia D’Souza.
Mr D’Souza said the merger was another step in the strategic growth pattern of Kalamazoo Group, which he purchased in 2004, less than two years after he joined as a salesperson.
“The new Group would offer the most extensive design, print and logistics platform in New Zealand, with ten sites across the North and South Islands. With modern plant and machinery and 360 staff, the Group presents a complete range of products and services that connects its customers with their customers, facilitating communication and fulfilment in a conversation economy,” he said.
Established in 1904, the Kalamazoo Group provides total print solutions for large, medium and small enterprises involved in almost all commercial activities. The Group has multi-million dollar production plants in Auckland (Mt Wellington) and Christchurch (Heathcote), with regional offices located throughout the country.
The Group also owns a large printing and publishing house in Bangalore, India, employing more than 600 people.
Mr D’Souza hopes to triple the turnover of the New Zealand operations to $100 million within the next two years.
As mentioned in these columns in our June 15, 2010 issue, Mr D’Souza attributed the Group’s success to his team and the joint ability to foster the aim of improving the image of the customers served.
“We have designed every product to not only suit the needs of our varied clients but also enhance their business profile. This extends from visitor passbook used at reception desks around the world and the continuous business forms that speed up the administrative process to the exceptionally high quality commercial print solutions that give a company that unmistakable professional look,” Mr D’Souza had said.
Wickliffe Limited was a family owned business established in 1948.
Since then, it grew to become the largest provider of print solutions, with integrated strategic print management and capability in business forms, variable data and digital print, strategic sourcing, full third-party logistics and e-commerce.
Wickliffe has offices in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North and Wellington with warehouse facilities in a number of centres.
Kalamazoo Group is the sponsor of the Best Professional Business category of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Award 2010, entries for which close on August 31, 2010.
Read related reports in this section and in Homelink.
Photo : Kalamazoo Group Managing Director Steve D’Souza announces the acquisition of Wickliffe Limited in Auckland on August 2, 2010.
