Richmond Capital Partners has claimed that mergers and acquisitions in the printing industry have reached a 30-year high.

The main drivers identified by chief executive Paul Holohan are succession issues, growth strategies, consolidation of costs and the increasing need for investment in technology.

With Ipex coming up and attention focused on new technology, Holohan said many people would get "caught in the euphoria" and buy equipment they cant afford in order to keep pace with competition.

Small companies were tackling cost issues by merging to create a greater industry force and making investment a viable option by spreading costs, he said.

"Sleeping with the enemy" is also becoming more common, with former rivals merging as a means for growth, or even survival.

Holohan said succession was a key reason for selling up, with a decline in children continuing in the family business.

Story by Rachel Barnes