Netherlands-based office equipment company Oce NV has bought its way into the US business support outsourcing market with its acquisition of New York-based Archer Management Services Inc for an undisclosed sum. The $2.5bn reprographic products and services company says the deal will give Archer access to its photocopiers and other reprographic equipment at substantially reduced cost. Archer supplies equipment, contract staff, systems and services for corporate mail, reprographics, graphics for sales documentation, records management, telecommunications and office management. The company turned over around $82m last year, and employs 2,200 people. To date, its main business has been in the US and Canada, with some business in the UK. It says the merger with Oce will enable it to offer far better support to its global customers, through Oce’s operations in more than 30 countries. Following the acquisition, which will be paid for by a combination of cash and stock, Oce says the US will account for 30% of its total worldwide sales. Archer will remain a stand alone company and retain its existing management team and employees.
