Confident on the back of a “flurry” of major contract wins, including for pharmacy giant GSK (F.K.A GlaxoSmithKline); international law firm White & Case; energy futures and options exchanges ICE Futures; and multibillion-pound property firm Landsec, Arc-UK now seeks to cement its success – hitherto entirely organic – through acquisition.
Revealing its intentions, the firm, a division of NYSE-listed Arc Document Solutions, said it was looking for “like-minded businesses that complement its business offering”.
Darren Moorhouse, head of sales UK and Europe for Arc, said that sustainability had been a key factor in winning prize contracts.
“Our continued journey towards achieving our carbon net zero targets has enabled us to partner with some of the UK’s leading companies and align and support their industry-leading sustainability strategies,” Moorhouse said.
“To continue on our upward trajectory, we are looking to expand through acquiring other businesses with shared visions and values, aligned with our aims for what we wish to provide to our customers.”
Arc-UK, recently the best-performing of all Arc Document Solutions’ divisions, has reportedly put together an M&A war chest in place, and is actively reviewing options for acquisitions.
Speaking to Printweek, Moorhouse added that the firm was looking all over the UK for potential matches.
“Ideally, we’re looking for other print providers/marketers/designers with a similar mindset and sustainability goals: businesses that we can add value to, and vice versa,” he said.
“The overall driver will be [the company’s] emphasis on understanding customers’ challenges and bringing sustainable solutions to the fore.”
He added that Arc-UK would not be looking to acquire litho businesses, and ideally would pick up each business as a whole, rather than in parts – “but we will judge each on its own merits”, Moorhouse said.
Supporting the company’s ambitions is a brand-new website, e-arc.co.uk, designed to better reflect Arc’s product offering and sustainable print credentials, including its partnership with CarbonQuota.
Since its move to a new-build site in Dartford in 2020, the company has found success offering low-carbon print across a range of services, including small- and large-format printing, building wraps and managed print, as well as scanning, archival, and document management services.
In late 2023 and early 2024, Arc-UK ramped up its sustainability efforts with a £1m-plus investment in new printing kit, like a Fujifilm Acuity Ultra hybrid printer, expanding its electric vehicle fleet and investing in solar panels.
Revenues have jumped from £5.9m in 2021 to £9.2m in 2023 – but Arc-UK is aiming now to reach £15m within three years.
