PMP snaps up Saxon Print in NZ

The acquisition represents a continuation of PMP New Zealand's growth strategy, which also saw the company last year purchase real estate print business Maxum and the sheet-fed company Printworld.

The purchase of Saxon Print is targeted to allow PMP to offer a significant sheet-fed presence in the New Zealand market - unlike its exit from the sector in Australia - with capacity in both the North and South Islands. The acquisition also extends PMP's presence in Christchurch, where last year it invested $15 million in a new web printing press.

Rodger Shepherd, chief executive of PMP New Zealand, claims the purchase will further add to the company's South Island print capabilities. “Saxon is one of the largest sheet-fed printing companies in the South Island, and we see this acquisition as a way to further our commitment to serving this important market,” he says.

PMP now employs more than 200 staff across South Island and insists there will be no redundancies because of the acquisition. Shepherd claims the potential exists for employment growth in the future. “PMP are (sic) continuing to grow our sheet-fed revenue at a high rate which requires us to keep increasing capacity,” he says.

Blair McDermott, owner and founder of Saxon Print, will continue to manage the company, and claims it will be business as usual for his clients.