Acquisition and exit strategy program launched in Victoria

With private equity focussing on the big end of town, Printing Industries' Victorian office has come up with a program to guide small to mid-size companies down the company acquisition road to add value to their existing holdings.

Printing Industries Victorian general manager, Ron Patterson, said it was apparent that the owners of smaller organisations were missing opportunities that could assist their growth and help other owners who wanted to exit the industry.

"Both groups share the common goal of wanting to maximise the returns from their business, particularly if they are thinking of leaving the industry in the next five years or so," he said.

"We have developed a program that can help them to do this and it begins with just a one-hour breakfast seminar on Tuesday 20 May.

"This small time commitment could provide them with the new ideas, inspiration and the knowledge to go forward and plan for a more profitable future. At the end of the day it's about having money in the bank and we believe this program can set them on the right path to do that," Patterson said.

Topics to be covered during the breakfast program include:

* A market overview - from a business sales & acquisition perspective.
* How businesses are presently being bought and sold.
* The four major value drivers in appraising a business.
* Alternative ways to exit.
* Five exit preparation tips.
* Acquisition versus organic growth
* Acquisition strategies

Industry consultant Richard Rasmussen, a director of Ascent Partners Pty Ltd, a specialist printing and graphic arts agent, will run the program. Rasmussen has spent the past 27 years working in the printing industry including many years with Heidelberg Australia and more recently as a business development consultant. He has assisted more than 20 print companies with business sales, acquisition and appraisal services.

The event will be held on Tuesday 20 May from 7am (for 7.30) at Printing Industries Mulgrave State Office, Unit 3, 5-7 Compark Circuit, Mulgrave. Cost is $20 for Printing Industries members $30 non members. Bookings to Elaine Brodie on 8541 7333 or Bruce Lowery on 8541 7304. E-mail: elaine@printnet.com.au