Italian Firm SoFiGraf Acquires British Book Printers
The Italian group finalized the purchase of CPI Books and CPI Antony Rowe to expand its international printing network.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Books
Live Poll
Do you trust that major corporate acquisitions lead to positive outcomes for local employees?
Italian company SoFiGraf has acquired British printing firms CPI Books and CPI Antony Rowe through its subsidiary GV Group. The deal marks the end of a six-month negotiation period.
Why it matters
The acquisition aims to facilitate new investments in equipment and staff training while merging an international distribution network with established local production capabilities.
The acquired UK businesses employ over 900 people and produce more than 100 million books annually. These facilities currently generate approximately £127 million in total yearly revenue.
The players
SoFiGraf
This is an Italian printing firm that has moved to expand its European footprint through the acquisition of UK-based print businesses.
GV Group
This is a subsidiary of SoFiGraf that acted as the primary vehicle for the acquisition of the British printing companies.
CPI Books
This is a British book printing company that has been acquired and will see its name removed as part of a corporate rebranding.
CPI Antony Rowe
This is a specialist printing business with facilities in Wiltshire that will retain its historic name following the change in ownership.
The details
The acquired entities will be rebranded as GV Books UK while continuing to operate under the Antony Rowe name. Current management will remain in their positions to oversee operations at the facilities in Chippenham and Melksham, Wiltshire.
Timeline
The acquisition deal officially closed on 13 October 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This move highlights the ongoing consolidation trend in the European commercial printing market as firms seek to secure supply chains. It positions SoFiGraf to compete more effectively by combining its broad international reach with localized production assets.
Customers of the printing services should not expect immediate changes as current management remains in place. The transition to the GV Books UK brand will be the primary visible shift for existing clients using these production facilities.
The takeaway
Large-scale printing remains a volume-driven business that relies on balancing local expertise with global infrastructure. Readers and publishers should watch for potential service updates as the new parent company begins its planned investment in new equipment.
Further reading
For more news on the publishing sector, visit the Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wiltshire Times.
Live Poll
Do you trust that major corporate acquisitions lead to positive outcomes for local employees?
