Walstead and LEYKAM Let’s Print create the largest independent printing business in Europe

Neudörfl, 8th of April, 2016

VIENNA, 8 APRIL, 2016: The UK-based Walstead Group and the shareholders of Let’s Print Holding AG (“LEYKAM Let’s Print”) have signed a definitive agreement which will create the largest independent printing company in Europe. As a result of this transaction, the combined Walstead and LEYKAM Let’s Print group will have pro forma annual revenues of approximately EUR €490 million and employ over 2,030 staff at 11 printing sites in five countries. The business will operate 37 heatset web offset and four gravure printing presses supported by 38 perfect binding and stitching lines. The group will process over 565,000 tonnes of paper annually and specialise in the production of flyers, catalogues, magazines and supplements. With revenues of EUR €225 million and 730 employees, LEYKAM Let's Print is one of the leading printing companies in Central and Eastern Europe and the largest in Austria. The business operates from two locations in Austria, and one each in Slovenia and the Czech Republic. Over 70% of its revenues are generated from the production of flyers for the retail markets in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Completion of the transaction is subject to anti-trust approval which is expected to take up to four weeks. Until then, both companies will remain and act as separate entities. Mark Scanlon, chairman of Walstead Group, explains the motives and goals for this transaction: „LEYKAM Let’s Print is an exceptionally well-managed, profitable and successful business. It will act as our hub for expansion into Central and Eastern Europe. This acquisition will open up new opportunities and strengthen our Europe-wide market position and provide stability in a difficult and challenging market. We want to create the largest European printing platform for the high volume production of flyers, magazines and catalogues. The combination of Walstead and LEYKAM Let’s Print has moved us much closer to this objective.” Gerhard Poppe, CEO of Let’s Print Holding AG, emphasizes the efforts to continue the successful way of growth for LEYKAM Let’s Print by finding the right partner for the future, considering all parties involved - the company, the employees, the customers and partners. “Forming one group with Walstead is an important strategic move for our company. Both businesses are future-oriented and have extensive knowledge of the printing industry and its challenges.” Klaus Brunner, chairman of LEYKAM Medien AG, the largest shareholder in Let’s Print Holding AG, sees this transaction as a logical step in the implementation of the corporate strategy: “We are absolutely delighted that Walstead Group and LEYKAM Let’s Print are coming together because we are convinced that as a result the leading position of LEYKAM Let's Print will be maintained and the business will get stronger in the years ahead.” Anton Schubaschitz, chairman of Let’s Print Holding AG’s supervisory board, added: “The consolidation of the printing market in Europe will continue and requires larger entities that can provide high volume and quality printing across multiple territories. With LEYKAM Let's Print being part of a larger European groupwill ensure it will continue to grow”.

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Press contacts:
Mag. Gerhard Poppe
LEYKAM Let’s Print Holding AG
Tel. +43 5 9005-3101 Mag. Nicole Bäck-Knapp
Ecker & Partner Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Public Affairs GmbH
Tel. +43(0) 1 59932-47
Mobil +43 (0) 69915909094
Email: n.baeck@eup.at

Notes for Editors: About Walstead: Walstead Group is a UK company and was founded in 2008 by Mark Scanlon (chairman), Richard Fookes, Stephen Hargrave and Paul Utting (ceo) when it acquired Wyndeham Press Group from Landsbanki. Since then the group has bought three web offset printing businesses in the UK and Bertelsmann’s web offset and gravure printing operations in Spain (2015). Walstead employs 1,300 staff at five printing sites in the UK and two in Spain. Revenue was EUR € 230 million in 2015 which included an eight-month contribution from the ex. Bertelsmann companies. Walstead is the second largest web offset printing company in the UK and Spain and the largest gravure printer in Spain. <link http: www.wyndeham.co.uk _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>www.wyndeham.co.uk <link http: www.rhapsodymedia.co.uk _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>www.rhapsodymedia.co.uk <link http: www.rotocobrhi.eurohueco.es _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>www.rotocobrhi.eurohueco.es About LEYKAM Let’s Print: The company was founded in 1585 and is headquartered in Neudörfl, near Vienna. The business employs 730 staff at four web offset printing plants: two in Austria and one each in the Czech Republic and Slovenia. The group has successfully acquired and integrated several competitors including Strohal Druck (2005) and Goldmann Druck (2011). Revenue was €225 million in 2015. LEYKAM Let’s Print is the largest web offset printing company in Austria. <link http: www.leykamletsprint.com _blank external-link-new-window external link in new>www.leykamletsprint.com

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