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Creo Retail Marketing, a recently-formed retail marketing agency, has acquired point-of-purchase (POP) print business the Lauren Group – a move reported to boost Creo’s annual turnover to £10 million.

Listing clients such as Universal Pictures International, De Vere Hotels and Bloomsbury Publishing, Creo is aiming to form a POP group. The Lauren Group, based in Kent, is Creo’s first such acquisition.

The Lauren Group has a 50,000 sq ft facility outside Maidstone, with litho, screen and large format digital printing equipment together with laminating, and die-cutting facilities.

According to Brand Republic, Creo said its creative and project management experience would fit with the manufacturing abilities of Lauren. Clients will be able to use whichever combination of services fits their needs, from creative to fulfilment.

Creo co-founder and managing director, Richard Saysell told mad.co.uk: “It has always been part of our strategy to bring manufacturing and fulfilment in-house, and Lauren is a superb fit having the latest litho, screen and digital equipment.”

Speaking to Brand Republic, he added: “We offer a working formula through which clients can actually save significant amounts of money on in-store marketing and get better results. With in-store compliance rates as low as 50per cent to 60 per cent, wastage in the industry is not only costly to clients but also to the environment. A reduction of this waste and its effect on the environment is central to our approach.”

Lauren Group founder Tony Gray told GetBiz: “We have been looking to join forces with a creative agency like Creo for some time. The timing is fantastic and I think our combined creative and manufacturing offer will be unrivalled in the marketplace.”

Barnes Roffe acted as financial adviser to Creo Retail Marketing in respect of its acquisition of Lauren Displays. The team was led by partner Andrew May, who worked closely with Richard Saysell and his team on a number of aspects of the deal, including forecasting, due diligence and financing.

Palmers acted as lead legal counsel to Creo Retail Marketing. Corporate Finance partner Mike Hunter at Palmers’ South Woodham Ferrers office led the team, dealing with all company aspects of the transaction and negotiation on the SPA and disclosures. He was supported by Property lawyer Amy Edgell and Employment lawyer Jane Elgar.

Chris Callow of the Maidstone office of McCabe Ford Williams Chartered Accountants advised Tony Gray of Lauren Displays on the financial and tax implications of the sale of his shares in the company.

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