REYL & Co (UK) LLP, a subsidiary of the REYL Group, has acted as sole financial advisor to Circle Media Group, a leading European printing and media group, in its recent acquisition of the leading European book printing group CPI from its shareholders in a cash transaction.

With this acquisition, Circle Media Group further strengthens its European printing business, ensuring that it offers a full range of both analogue and digital capabilities, and maintains its leading position in the ongoing consolidation of the European printing and media industry.

Following the acquisition of CPI, Circle Media Group will have combined pro-forma annual sales of €900 million and more than 5,000 employees, making it the largest independent European group in the delivery of print and media capabilities. The group will have 26 printing sites in 10 European countries as well as an operation in the US, 135 printing presses of which 29 are digital and will process more than 1 million tons of paper a year.

Teofilo Masera, Managing Director of REYL & Co commented: ”We are proud to have been the initiator of the transaction and to have assisted Circle Media Group as M&A and financing advisor. The acquisition of CPI propels Circle Media Group into one of the leading consolidators of the European printing industry.”

Peter Andreou, Chairman & CEO of Circle Media Group, commented: “The acquisition of CPI is a transformational next step for us in the consolidation of the European printing industry and the creation of a profitable, world-class integrated media communication group. With CPI, we complement our existing business with a leading book printer in Europe in a period where the European book market is stabilising, after some years of sharp decline and the use of e-books now declining. This acquisition also allows us to advance in digital printing technologies and we see great potential for short-term synergies between our Books division and other areas of Circle Media Group, specifically the Commercial Printing division. We thank REYL for its introduction of CPI and their valuable advice throughout the acquisition process.”