EBM

Eminence Business Media

Monday, April 2, 2012

Quad/Graphics enters strategic partnership with India-based Manipal Technologies : Purchases minority interest to expand geographic footprint


Quad/Graphics, Inc., a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with Manipal Technologies Ltd. (ManipalTech), India’s largest print services and end-to-end business solutions provider. Under the agreement, Quad/Graphics has purchased a minority interest in Manipal Technologies, expanding Quad/Graphics’ geographic reach to Asia, and broadening its product and service scope.

“This investment expands our global presence, giving us a strong foothold in another emerging market with a large and growing middle class that is attractive to marketers and publishers,” said Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President & CEO of Quad/Graphics. “Additionally, this partnership supports a key component of our growth strategy, which is to invest in geographies and segments where we can be a market leader through a diverse product offering, and a superior and efficient operating platform. We are proud to partner with a reputable, forward-thinking company like ManipalTech, which shares our commitment to advancing the effectiveness of print in a multichannel media world.”

ManipalTech is a leading printer of security products, such as debit and credit cards, bank checks and drafts, high-security revenue-assurance labels, pre-paid phone cards, gift vouchers and personalized holograms, as well as marketing, branding and communications products, including magazines, catalogs, books, brochures, annual reports, consumer goods packaging, point-of-purchase displays, envelopes and stationery, manuals and labels. The company performs work for customers in a variety of industries, including Publishing, Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Telecommunications, Education, Consumer Goods and Retail, Aviation and Transportation, and the Government. The company is committed to advancing its product and service offering through research and development. Currently, it is developing products with embedded technology; biometrics such as fingerprints and iris recognition; printed electronics; and interactive print features such as near field communication (NFC).

“Quad/Graphics’ investment will fuel our growth initiatives, which are focused on bringing greater capabilities and value to customers across many industries,” said T. Gautham Pai, Managing Director of ManipalTech. “We continue to focus on developing solutions that proactively address our customers’ pain points, needs and value requirements, especially as consumer preferences change and businesses look to adapt.”

ManipalTech employs more than 2,000 people in multiple production facilities in Manipal, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi; R&D and software development centers in Gurgaon and Manipal, and various sales and office locations in India. Annual sales approximate USD$90 million.