With the acquisition of Arrows, Grupo Picking Pack increases its presence in a key area of the city of New Orleans, where the design companies, the architects and the engineering firms are located. Arrows has a largecustomer portfolio, including Ingalls, an aeroplane producer for the American army, and also wide management experience, with a long relationship with the technical services of Xerox. In 1999, Arrows had a turnover of US$ 500,000 (approx. 90 million pesetas) and the forecast for the year 2000 is to increase it by 50%.
Grupo Picking Pack has also acquired the firm Prestos, which is also located in New Orleans and is focused onthe large-scale digital reprographic sector. In 1999, the revenue amounted to US$ 1 million (180 millions pesetas approximately). Its location, in the business district, as well as its consolidated reputation in the construction market, are the main strengths of this company, in a sector which is booming as a consequence of
the industrial development of the area.
Both acquired companies strengthen the network of sales points of Grupo Picking Pack and will be connected to EurografixNet, the digital network 50%-owned by Grupo Picking Pack and which connects 300 sales points in 16 countries, making possible the digital high-speed transmission of all kinds of documents and their electronical management, especially designed for the construction industry.
These acquisitions continue the strong growth of Charrette in the digital reprographics sector thanks to Grupo Picking Pack’s entry into the USA. In the last six months Charrette has bought 6 companies, and with a turnover of more than US$ 20 million (3,500 mill pesetas) contribute to the development of the network of Charrete in strategic areas of the country, consolidating its presence in 16 of 50 States of the USA.
