Annodata has acquired STS, with the former an MPS and IT provider and the latter a specialist MPS provider.
Annodata refers to itself as a “leading provider” of communications, MPS and IT services for businesses, while STAT is a “specialist provider” of MPS, and Annodata acquired STS through “existing cash reserves” with the intention to extend its “specialist print capabilities” as well as increase its annual revenues above £80 million ($122 million/€108 million).
STS’ niche in “specialist print services” includes a “reputation for providing exceptionally good value to its customers”, as well as “working with both the public and private sectors”, including “high-profile” businesses such as bookmakers William Hill and regional newspapers The Manchester Evening News and The Yorkshire Post.
Annodata added that the acquisition “fills a gap in an area where [it] has not traditionally focused”, which is wide-format specialised printing, with the additional turnover from the acquisition “expected to approach” £3 million ($4.6 million/€4 million) per annum before incorporated revenue of £80 million, in addition to 400 new employees. Annodata’s Leeds office will be relocated to STS’ office in Wetherby – both in Yorkshire – and the two companies “will be integrated in full”.
In turn, STS staff – including Managing Director Peter Langstaff – will “remain in situ and will continue to play a central role in the newly-enlarged business” due to their “wealth of experience and expertise with specialist print services”. Langstaff stated that “becoming part of the Annodata Group is good news for our staff and, importantly, for our customers, who will benefit from the additional resources and capabilities that a company of Annodata’s size and breadth can offer.
“In addition, it means that suppliers will have the opportunity to pitch for a larger amount of expenditure by Annodata, given the increased revenues. Annodata has a long history of making acquisitions, so I have every confidence that the integration of STS will be smooth and look forward to working closely with the team to move the business forward”.
Martin St. Quinton, Chairman of Annodata’s Chairman: “STS has an impressive portfolio of longstanding customers including national and local newspaper groups and, much like Annodata, is particularly strong in the housing association market. Vendor-agnostic and with a strong, profitable business model, STS is a great fit for Annodata.
“Annodata has a rich history dating back to 1988 and is now one of the largest B2B providers in our space in the UK. We’ve grown steadily over this time, never incurring any debt and maintaining healthy balance sheets. Over the next 12 months we will look to make further strategic acquisitions like the Keltec deal last year to expand our product portfolio and tuck-in acquisitions like STS which consolidate our position as a leading provider of print, communication and technology services to the private and public sectors.”