Print.com / Simian - exclusive interview of Lucas Baarspul : "we are aiming to surpass the €100 million milestone in the very near future"

Lucas Baarspul, Chief Strategy Officer at Print.com accepted to give me some insights about the recent acquisition of Simian by Print.com

1. What motivated Print.Group to acquire Simian? Was it the B2C market or the industrial facilities?
   Print.Group was primarily motivated by Simian’s industrial facilities. What Simian has built over the past years is truly unparalleled in the European printing industry. Their state-of-the-art production facility, housed in a brand-new 23,000 m² building, sets a new benchmark for innovation and efficiency. Equipped with over 5,500 solar panels, this facility represents a forward-thinking and sustainable approach to large-scale printing for the online landscape. At the same time, they have currently quite some overcapacities. By combining production volumes, we are making our overall business model more resilient, future-proof, and capable of driving innovation at an even faster pace.

 

2. What is the global annual revenue of the group now?
   In 2024, our combined revenue reached €88 million. However, we are aiming to surpass the €100 million milestone in the very near future. Despite having been in business for five years already, we still feel like we are just getting started. The market is evolving, and there are countless opportunities ahead that we are eager to explore, together with the creative professionals we serve

 

3. What synergies will be created between both companies? How will customers from different market segments benefit from this acquisition?
   From a customer perspective, our consumer-facing brands will continue to operate independently and maintain their current focus. However, behind the scenes, the integration of Simian’s factory will lead to a more streamlined and efficient production process. This will result in reduced waste, improved turnaround times, and expanded logistical options, allowing us to consolidate shipments more effectively. Additionally, Simian’s labels will gain access to a vast printing network, and we will improve the utilization of our Brezo factory, which specializes in apparel and promotional products with low minimum order quantities and fast delivery. We believe there are even more synergies that will emerge naturally as we begin working together more closely.

 

4. Do you plan to insource more production thanks to this acquisition?
   Yes, this acquisition significantly increases our production capabilities, and as a result, we will be insourcing more production. However, our commitment to long-term partnerships remains unchanged. We currently work with a network of over 200 print partners who regularly produce for us, and we continue to invest in these relationships. For many products, we already offer customers the ability to choose where their orders are produced, and we are expanding local production options across different regions. Especially southern Europe and in the UK. Local production often makes sense for reasons such as faster delivery, lower shipping costs, and customer preference. While we see strong advantages in owned production, we firmly believe in building a hybrid network that balances in-house manufacturing with our trusted external partners.

 

5. Do you plan to expand your geographical presence in Europe, perhaps following Print.com’s expansion into Southern Europe with some of Simian’s brands?
   Our focus remains on establishing Print.com as a global brand for graphic professionals. Existing brands within the group will maintain their individual positioning, and strategic direction. While we always explore opportunities for growth, our approach is to strengthen each brand in its respective market rather than force expansion where it may not align with the brand’s identity and strengths.

 

6. With this acquisition, Print.Group becomes one of the leading players in Europe, while some traditional print operators are struggling. What is your vision for the future of the print and web-to-print market?
   The printing industry is undergoing rapid transformation, and we believe that consolidation is essential for maintaining a strong and sustainable position in the market. Companies need to either specialize in a niche segment or operate a highly efficient, technology-driven factory that benefits from economies of scale. Trying to balance both approaches is becoming increasingly difficult. Our strategy focuses on leveraging technology, automation, and intelligent logistics to create a future-proof printing model. The ability to adapt, innovate, and optimize production processes will be the key to long-term success in the print and web-to-print market. Of course, we are happy to help new printing partners to sell via our platform.

Thank you Lucas !