Print.Group acquires Simian in major European deal

Print.Group, the holding company behind European print platform Print.com, has acquired online printer Simian, bolstering its brand portfolio.

Founded in 2007, Simian achieved a reported revenue of approximately €28m (£23m) in 2024. The acquisition includes brands in Simian’s portfolio including Reclameland, Flyerzone, and Drukland, as well as Simian’s 23,000m² production facility near Groningen in the Netherlands.

As a result of the acquisition, Print.com’s existing facility in the city of Oss will be closed, with operations moving to the new Groningen facility.

The new production facility will serve as a central production and fulfilment hub for the brands within the Print.Group holding. According to the group, merging order volumes is a key priority, with the aim of enabling Print.Group to implement cost optimisations to benefit its customers.

Since its founding in 2019, Print.Group has reportedly generated more than €60m (£50m) in revenue across nine European countries.

Print.Group aims to create a clear price and product differentiation between the various brands, both in physical products and in tools and services. The Print.com platform will remain tailored to creative professionals such as print resellers, brands, creatives, and agencies, while the newly acquired Reclameland, Flyerzone, and Drukland labels will continue to focus on SMEs.

Currently, more than 10,000 customers across Europe order from Print.com or use the Print.com Toolbox. The Toolbox is designed to offer more seamless print software integration, from design to publication and distribution.

Chief executive officer and founder of Print.Group, Marco Aarnink, says: “We are investing in a prominent international position in a rapidly evolving market. Our customers expect smaller production runs, shorter delivery times, a broader and more sustainable product range, as well as personalised services.

“Within this evolving landscape, we differentiate ourselves by adding value through digitisation, simplified workflows, fulfilment, and flexible logistics right to the customer’s doorstep. With this acquisition and the additional volume it brings, we immediately achieve economies of scale within our group.”

Simian’s chief executive officer and founder, Wouter Haan, adds: “Print.com and Simian share an immense passion for the power of print, which is evident everywhere from traditional brochures to merchandising, textiles, and interior applications.

“New markets and opportunities can only emerge when the entire supply chain collaborates in an integrated and sustainable way. In my new role, I will focus on further developing these strategic ambitions within Print.Group.”

Established in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Austria, Print.com has since subsequently expanded into the UK, Denmark, Spain, and Italy in 2024.

Print.com announced its expansion into the UK in June of 2024, establishing a local UK service team that includes Country Captain, Fiona Robinson. As part of the UK launch, Print.com invited visitors to “come aboard” on its stand at The Print Show 2024.

Print.com UK recently joined print and paper advocacy group, Two Sides. In a statement about joining the advocacy group, Robinson says: “Print.com is committed to a socially responsible and sustainable future of ‘more print, less footprint’.

“Our sustainability values align with the Two Sides campaign, and we are delighted to have become a member.”

Speaking of Print.com’s sustainable credentials, Robinson continues: “We produce locally, with efficient technology – this is how we reduce CO2 emissions, waste, and our energy consumption.

“We are constantly adding sustainable products and services to our ordering environment with recyclability as our starting point. We also implement eco-friendly and ethical solutions throughout the supply chain and inspire partners to do the same.”