PPM Ventures Growing Labels Group

PPM Ventures in February acquired a minority stake of more than 40% in Inprint Systems, a leading international supplier of info-labels. Terms for the restructuring deal, which included senior debt and working capital facilities provided by West LB Leveraged Finance, were not disclosed. Inprint Systems’ founder and chairman, David Instance, has a majority stake in the company.

Inprint Systems has pioneered the info-label market, providing packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and veterinary product industries. Info-labels carry precise, often lengthy, usage instructions in multi-layered, fold-out booklet or concertina format and are attached directly to the product container.

Headquartered in the South of England, Inprint Systems services the international market from production facilities in the UK, Italy, Singapore and the US. The company enjoys a strong competitive position thanks to its proprietary systems, which are based on leading edge technology, and an extensive array of wide-ranging patents on its products. Its 1997 profits exceeded GBP10 million (euro 14.5 million).

Because regulatory authorities worldwide are increasingly mandating or recommending the use of extended-text info-labels, Inprint Systems addresses a growing market. Following the restructuring, Inprint will focus on identifying new markets and will aim to expand both organically and through acquisition.

PPM Ventures director Martin Clarke said, “Inprint systems is set to capitalise on its skills as a world leader in labelling technology and applications”. He added that the company’s acquisition strategy will require substantial equity funding.

The new Inprint board, which includes members of the Instance family, two PPM Ventures executives and Michael Howard MP, the former UK Home Secretary, will appoint a new chief executive and financial director in due course.