Classic Graphics and Belking Printing Technologies Merge

Two of the most respected names in the printing and graphic communications industry have joined forces with the acquisition by Classic Graphics, Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., of Belk Printing Technologies, Inc. of Pineville, N.C., for an undisclosed sum.

The NAPL Mergers & Acquisition Team provided advice and guidance to the companies during a merger that creates the largest privately owned commercial printing company in the Carolinas.

The NAPL M&A Team was instrumental in evaluating the strategic fit of the companies, determining the value of Belk based on industry-specific M&A criteria, recommending the transaction structure to fairly allocate risk, and preparing Term Sheets that clarified details on key points.

"We were brought in by the companies to provide an objective and impartial assessment of the value of Belk and to preserve the value of that company's real estate holdings," said NAPL senior vice president and M&A specialist John Hyde, noting that the Association team "developed a creative approach to retaining the value that was an essential element in completing the combination.

"We also facilitated the dialogue between the two companies, helping them discuss the tough questions that must be asked and answered when two established organizations set out to consolidate operations," he adds.

"NAPL was able to bring to the table not only expertise in legal and financial issues, but specific industry experience. We have a unique understanding of what works and what doesn't, based on our unparalleled industry merger and acquisition experience," said Hyde, "and we know how to apply that knowledge of best practices to each new project."

"NAPL provided us with exactly the help we needed," said David Pitts, co-owner of Classic Graphics. "We had great confidence in John Hyde's ability to calculate the value of the deal and our confidence was borne out in that both we and Belk felt the valuation was fair and neither side moved off it.