MBE Acquires Printing Franchisor AlphaGraphics to Gain Stronger U.S. Presence

Salt Lake City-based AlphaGraphics has been acquired by MBE Worldwide (Mail Boxes Etc.), a global, third‐party logistics, printing and communications services franchise network based in Milan, Italy. The purchase of AlphaGraphics, from private equity firm Western Capital Resources, comes on the heels of MBE’s acquisition this past April of the U.S.-based PostNet franchise system (which I wrote about here at the time). With the AlphaGraphics acquisition, MBE Worldwide now has approximately 2,600 locations in 39 countries and projected system-wide sales of $940 million in 2017.

All three companies currently operate in the business services industry through a network of locations owned and operated by individual franchisees.

AlphaGraphics, a design, printing, marketing communications and promotional products franchisor with about 265 locations, will continue to operate as an independent company and will retain its current management team, including Executive Chairman Gay Burke and President Aaron Grohs. AlphaGraphics’ headquarters will remain in Salt Lake City, and the companies will retain their individual names, business concepts and brands. PostNet has approximately 240 U.S. franchise locations.

“AlphaGraphics is an excellent strategic fit for MBE because of its entrepreneur-driven, people-centric, customer-first business model, which complements our MBE business and culture,” said Paolo Fiorelli, chairman and CEO of MBE Worldwide, in a prepared statement. “Also, AlphaGraphics has earned a reputation for technological and service excellence in the highly competitive print, marketing and communications industry in the U.S. We are excited to welcome AlphaGraphics to the MBE family and will work together to provide high-value solutions to our business and consumer customers across the globe.”
more at:  http://www.piworld.com/article/mbe-acquires-printing-franchisor-alphagraphics/