Standard Register has announced that it has acquired WorkflowOne in a transaction valued at $218 million, financed by assuming $210 million of long-term debt and the issuance of warrants with an estimated value of $8 million. The transaction advances Standard Register’s revenue position, enhances its product portfolio, broadens its customer base, improves its cost structure and provides greater financial flexibility and stability.

Standard Register expects to achieve $1 billion in annual revenue and $40 million in annual savings when the integration of the two companies is complete. The acquisition is expected to deliver value creation benefits immediately from combined sales and operating capabilities and to improve 2013 EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). The Company will go to market under the Standard Register corporate umbrella and will rapidly integrate its operations. WorkflowOne will initially operate as a subsidiary of Standard Register. Joseph P. Morgan, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Standard Register, will lead the combined company. Timothy Tatman, former president and chief executive officer of WorkflowOne, will serve in an advisory capacity through the integration.

Both companies are headquartered in Dayton, OH, USA, with software development, traditional and digital printing and distribution facilities throughout the US and in Canada and Mexico. Standard Register serves many of the largest healthcare and commercial organizations with a portfolio of technology-enabled multi-channel communication and marketing solutions supported by a nationwide printing, kitting and distribution network. WorkflowOne provides printing, document management, distribution and marketing services to a large customer base. The combined company has 4,000 employees, including 920 in Dayton.

“This strategic combination brings together two companies with highly complementary business and market presence to create a leading player in workflow, communications and analytics,” says Morgan. “The acquisition of WorkflowOne increases our customer base and incremental growth opportunities. It also provides new markets and capabilities in retail and promotional products and cross-selling opportunities. And, importantly, we are acquiring a significant pool of talented people with expertise in our industry and markets.”

“Standard Register has a defined, demand-based strategy that embraces the changes taking place within the printing industry. By embracing the changes, we have been able to identify new technology-enabled solutions that are growing in the marketplace and build a strategic roadmap of investments that will position us for continued success. Standard Register and WorkflowOne have a combined heritage in printing, document management and communications that is enhanced through this acquisition. We have identified many synergies in this part of the business, including simplifying processes, leveraging engineering expertise, optimizing the supply chain and improving overall capacity utilization. The cash flow from this large manufacturing network will be a source for fueling future growth,” Morgan continues. “We have a keen understanding of the trends taking place in our combined key market segments of healthcare, financial services, manufacturing and retail, and are continuing to develop innovative solutions in marketing communications, customer communications, product marketing and labeling, patient identification and safety and patient information.”

“We have engaged AlixPartners to help us with integration planning and synergy alignment. They provided valuable counsel for our strategic restructuring and have a deep understanding of our company and markets,” Morgan adds.

In addition to creating one of the largest printing and print management companies in North America, the combination establishes Standard Register among the top 10 label manufacturers in North America, and adds a top 15 promotional products business.

“By joining forces with Standard Register, we will be able to provide our customers with deeper capabilities across a broader range of products and services than ever before,” says Tatman. “I am very excited about the future of our combined companies.”