Consolidation: those who act now, win
The printing and packaging industry is consolidating—at an ever-increasing pace. We support you in acquiring companies, selling your own business, pursuing strategic mergers, or planning for business succession. Drawing on six decades of industry expertise and our extensive network, we ensure the continuity of your life’s work and find partners who are a cultural and financial good fit for you.
Task definition
In a saturated market such as the printing and packaging industry, inorganic growth is often the most efficient way to secure market share or tap into new technologies. However, an acquisition is far more than a purely financial transaction. It is a strategic decision that must have a lasting impact for years to come.
Our Expertise
We guide you through the entire process: from the initial search strategy to a successful closing. Our strength lies in our network: thanks to our long-standing presence in the market, we often have exclusive insight into which companies are for sale and why.
We conduct commercial due diligence for you that goes beyond a balance sheet review. We analyze the target company’s machinery, customer base, and technological future viability in the context of Industry 4.0 and sustainability. In doing so, we always keep synergies in mind—both on the cost side and in sales. Cultural fit is particularly important to us: Does the target company align with your philosophy? We facilitate the approach process discreetly and professionally to address any resistance early on. Our goal is for your acquisition to create value from day one. We also support you after the purchase with post-merger integration, so that two different cultures can become a powerful team. With GC by your side, you minimize the risks of a bad buy and actively use the consolidation to strengthen your competitive position.
Task definition
The decision to sell one’s own business is often the culmination of a long entrepreneurial career. In the printing industry, emotional factors often play a significant role alongside economic considerations. We understand that.
Our Expertise
Our process begins with a thorough business valuation based on real industry benchmarks. We know how the market currently values specialized label manufacturers, folding carton producers, or commercial printers, and which price drivers are decisive. We prepare a professional information memorandum that clearly highlights your company’s strengths for potential investors. Discretion is our top priority. We approach potential buyers—whether strategic competitors or financial investors—anonymously to minimize any concern among employees and customers.
We manage the entire data room and coordinate the negotiations. In doing so, we act as your experienced negotiator, who knows the pitfalls of the industry and represents your interests firmly on the merits but courteously in tone. We ensure that not only is the purchase price right, but also the framework conditions for the future of the location.
Our expertise, gained from numerous projects, gives you the assurance that your sale will be handled professionally, efficiently, and in full compliance with the law. We accompany you all the way to the final signing at the notary’s office and ensure that you can hand over your company to capable hands.
Challenge
In times of overcapacity and intense cost pressure in the printing industry, smart partnerships are often the order of the day. Where companies once fought on their own, new approaches are now emerging to achieve more together, faster and at lower cost.
Our Expertise
We help you form partnerships on equal footing that unlock real synergies. The spectrum ranges from joint purchasing groups to the specialization of locations and sales partnerships. The advantage is clear: you share high investment costs—such as those for modern digital printing systems or IT infrastructure—while simultaneously increasing your competitive edge. We act as a neutral facilitator in this process. Collaborations often fail not because of the numbers, but due to a lack of trust or unclear responsibilities. We facilitate negotiations between the partners and work with you to draft viable cooperation agreements and business plans. We analyze which areas are suitable for collaboration and where a clear separation remains sensible to maintain flexibility. Whether it involves forming a printing cluster or sharing logistics capacities—we bring together partners who are a good fit for one another. Our industry expertise enables us to calculate realistic potential and provide operational support for implementation. For us, cooperation means bundling the strengths of individual companies into a powerful network. In this way, we create solutions that ensure survival and profitability in a consolidating market environment, while you remain in control of your own business.
The Task
The search for a successor is a process that requires foresight and tact. In many family-owned businesses in the printing industry, internal succession is no longer a given.
Our Expertise
We support you in objectively evaluating all options. If an internal family solution is sought, we facilitate the generational transition as a neutral mediator to constructively manage family dynamics. If an external solution is required, we specifically seek out individuals who bring not only the necessary capital but also the professional expertise and personal maturity to lead your company. We view succession as holistic organizational development. Often, the company must first be made “ready for succession”—through process optimization or the realignment of the leadership team. We help you make these preparations to increase the company’s appeal to potential successors. Our recruiting arm supports us in identifying talent from the second tier or external MBI candidates. We facilitate the onboarding phase and ensure that the transferor’s valuable expertise is not lost, while allowing the successor to bring their own ideas to the table. Our goal is a seamless transition that guarantees the company’s stability and offers employees a secure future. With GC, you secure the continuity of your life’s work through a succession solution that is both human and economically sound.
