Multi-Color ranks 86th in Forbes best small companies

Label & Narrow Web, Nov-Dec, 2007

Forbes magazine has listed Multi-Color Corporation, of Sharonville, OH, USA, among its 200 Best Small Companies. Multi-Color, one of North America's largest label converters, is ranked 86th in the group with revenues of $229 million for the last 12 month period.

Forbes judged candidates with revenues between $5 million and $750 million and share prices above $5 as of October 1, 2007--according to return on equity, as well as sustained sales and net profit growth over 12-month and five-year periods. Multi-Color's financial performance includes a five-year annual revenue growth of 25.2 percent, and earnings per share growth of 15 percent, giving investors an overall five-year annual return of 22 percent.

"Being selected for the Forbes list of Best Small Companies is truly an exciting achievement for us," says Frank Gerace, president and CEO of Multi-Color. "It solidly reflects the hard work and commitment of all Multi-Color associates who have brought high value products and service to our customers--and high return to our shareholders in the process. We have recorded our ninth consecutive year of increased sales and operating income, and our third consecutive year of rewarding shareholders with a quarterly dividend."

The company was similarly honored by Forbes in 2005, ranked 41st among the 200 best small companies.

Multi-Color also announced the purchase of its second Omet press, acquired less than three months after buying its first one. The new Varyflex flexographic press, manufactured at Omet's headquarters in Lecco, Italy, was on display at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels in September. The sale was facilitated by Matik North America.

"The new press offers all the flexibility that consumer package goods companies are looking for in today's competitive marketplace: high quality flexo print, screen printing, lamination, and foil stamping," says Kneir. The press features Omet's new Vision 1 auto-register system, which uses less than two web lengths to achieve perfect register, according to the company.