Christian Knapp, managing director,  KBA UK
This is not the end of it. These things tend to run in a cyclical manner and it has happened in the past. Companies consolidate when times are hard and combine their financial muscle in order to buy the latest technology, then they decide that more value can be found separately and they break-up again. Are we going to see three or four mega printers? No, In the end we will have a handful of better capitalised companies able to invest in modern technology. You can also look at the ten larger sheetfed companies that are servicing the lower end of that market, it is inevitable that there will be consolidation in that area too.

Vic Rollinson, sales director, The Website (Leeds)
I think that further consolidation in the web offset sector is almost certainly going to happen. There are still too many companies that are not making any money and I can think of a few that definitely cannot carry on as they have been. There are also only one or two businesses in the printing industry that would not welcome consolidation talks. However, I do believe that such consolidation in the web offset sector will eventually lead to a stronger market, albeit with fewer jobs.

Peter Johnston, finance director, Polestar
This latest merger comes as no surprise and in fact is a credit to Mark Scanlon and his team. Walstead’s strategy of consolidation is very much consistent with our own and we view this positively. The web offset industry is over-fragmented and it has endured significant price pressure created by overcapacity for many years. Polestar is keen to participate in consolidation of the market and will do so at the right time and when the deals are of the right size and the right price.  Remember that current multiples are at a historic low and acquirers need to be careful not to over-pay in a difficult market when liquidity will be key.

Nicholas Mockett, partner, Europa Partners
I suspect part of the rationale of the Southernprint acquisition is to consolidate the sites and I think that will force others to look at coming together. More companies and more capacity needs to come out, so that will force others in the sector to look at merging. I definitely think we’re more likely to see business combinations in the future, rather than cash-up-front deals like Wyndeham has done, because a lot of the players don’t have an awful lot of money readily available.