In an interview with PrintWeek, Illman explained that CCI/Coakley offers a variety of print-related solutions, include digital printing, mailing, intelligent inserting and personalized print on demand.

"Where the hole was for us was we didn't do this high-end sheetfed work," he added.

"Winnebago has an 8-color Heidelberg and also a 6-color 40-inch Heidelberg that will be joining our fleet or production equipment. This will enable us to do a lot of cross-selling to both our own customers and the great client base Winnebago has developed."

Illman added the integration of Menasha, Wi-based Winnebago, including several full-time workers as well as printing and finishing equipment along with their customer base, should take about two months.

"From a geographic perspective it overlays where we already are," he said. "But what it does help is in getting into some good vertical markets, Winnebago has some good retail clients and this will enable us to get deeper in that market."

In a story oft repeated in recent years, Winnebago had carved out a solid business as a high-end sheetfed shop, but had opted to move into e-business and providing additional services. "The recession hit the printing industry pretty hard particularly if you were a small to mid-size business," Illman noted. "So this is a nice orderly transition."

CCI/Coakley was itself acquired by TouchPoint Print Solutions several years in what basically amounted to a roll-up of strong regional printers  In addition to CCI/Coakley, TouchPoint also purchased Cincinnati-based Berman Printing, Denver-based NSO Press and another printing facility in Tempe, AZ.

"In this case bigger can be better, because you're able to get better deals on paper and ink," Illman explained. "There's big overcapacity in this industry so the companies that will survive are going to be the really good companies that can provide service to a local customer base, but also are part of a larger company for capex, better purchasing and better administrative and senior management services."