Vertis Inc history

In 1994, Big Flower Press, Inc., a subsidiary of BFP Holdings, made two other acquisitions, Retail Graphic Holding and KTB Associates, which considerably expanded its market presence in the advertising insert and newspaper TV magazine segments.

Kokmen, Leyla, "Ad-Software Maker Bought $1.4 Billion Deal Puts Columbine JDS in Public Company," Denver Post, September 23, 1997.

In 1999, Big Flower reached sales exceeding $2 billion before an investment group led by leveraged-buyout firm Thomas H. Lee Co. bought it for approximately $800 million.

"Roland Replaces Reilly as Big Flower Becomes Vertis Inc.," Printing Impressions, August 1, 2000.

With its aggressive strategy of acquisitions, by 2003 Vertis had become a global powerhouse in the integrated marketing and advertising solutions business, combining advertising, direct marketing, media, imaging, and progressive technology.

Although the focus was on streamlining its business, the company nevertheless acquired Elite Mailing and Fulfillment Services, Inc., for $3.3 million, adding the firm to its North American operations in January 2005.

In September 2006, Vertis Communications reached agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Visant Corporation to sell its fragrance division.

Vertis also completed a similar prepackaged bankruptcy-law filing in 2008.

In 2010, Vertis filed for voluntary bankruptcy-law protection in an effort to reduce its debt.

Vertis and Quad/Graphics said they expect the court to approve the sale during the fourth quarter of 2012, enabling it to close in the first quarter of next year.