8 January 2016
BDA advises AnaJet on its sale to Ricoh

Divested AnaJet to Ricoh
2016
BDA Partners is pleased to announce that its client, AnaJet LLC (“AnaJet”), a leading US provider of direct-to-garment printers, has been sold by Chicago Growth Partners, a private equity group, to Ricoh Company Ltd (“Ricoh”), one of Japan’s leading printing and imaging technology companies. BDA acted as exclusive financial advisor to AnaJet and Chicago Growth Partners. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 2006, AnaJet was one of the first companies in the world to mass-produce digital garment printers. Today, the company is a recognized market leader in digital garment printing systems in the US with distribution in over 50 countries. The majority of AnaJet products available today leverage Ricoh’s market-leading inkjet printheads. AnaJet maintains a robust research and development center, as well as manufacturing, customer service, aftermarket support and end-user training programs in Southern California.
The addition of the AnaJet portfolio will help Ricoh further its position in the industrial inkjet market, a market where Ricoh maintains global leadership in inkjet printhead development. With AnaJet’s solutions combined with the broad Ricoh portfolio, customers will now have the ability to more effectively deliver a broader solution set to their end users.
AnaJet will continue to operate under its current name, management team, and capabilities, which currently include more than 50 employees and is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California.
Justine Mannering, BDA Managing Director in New York said, “We’re proud to have worked with AnaJet to execute this transaction. We believe that Ricoh represents the perfect partner to support AnaJet’s next phase and to accelerate the Company’s growth both internationally and through enhanced R&D and product development.”
"This transaction builds on our existing extensive credentials in the global imaging and printing technology sector. It is a good illustration of BDA’s capabilities to manage and close global transactions attracting sophisticated Japanese and other Asian buyers for high quality assets."
About Anajet
AnaJet LLC develops, manufactures, and supports direct to garment printers to print digital graphics on light and dark cotton, cotton blended, polyester, nylon, rayon, and spandex promotional, customized, and personalized garments. It offers digital apparel printers to print directly onto garments and other textile items, such as T-shirts, polo shirts, uniforms, child sized garments, scarves, and tunics; aprons and canvas bags; towels and pillow cases; mouse pads; art canvas; and head wear, tote bags, canvas art prints, wood, glass, synthetic fibers, and other decorative items. The company also provides textile inks; and accessories, such as youth tables, sleeve tables, and other tools. It sells its products through distributors worldwide. AnaJet LLC was founded in 2006 and is based in Costa Mesa, California. www.anajet.com
About Ricoh
Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2015, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of Yen 2,231 bn (US$18.5bn). The majority of the company’s revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and specialized industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its customer service and sustainability initiatives. www.ricoh.com
Recent transactions
Sold Compart Systems to Shanghai Wanye Enterprises
2020
Established JV with Superior Essex
2020
Divested ThiPha Cable and Dovina to Stark Corporation
2020
Divested Nagano Industry to JAFCO
2019
Divested Nippon Oil Pump to CITIC Capital
2018
Divested Parador to HIL Limited
2018
Divested its 49% stake in Mitsubishi Motors Philippines
2018
Divested 80% stake to JKL Partners
2018
Divested Model Solution to Hankook Tire
2018
Acquired roller coaster manufacturer, Vekoma Rides
2018
Divested MFS Technology to DCP Capital
2018
Divested shares of Taiheiyo Seiki Holding to TKY
2017
Acquired 75% of Zhejiang Maximal Forklift Truck, China
2017
Issued equity to China National Heavy Duty/Sinotruk
2017
Divested China foodservice business to Huhtamaki
2017
Divested Indian compact construction equipment business to Manitou
2017
Divested UK compact construction equipment business to Groupe Mecalac
2016
Divested Facade Access Holdings to Alimak Group
2016
Divested King Koil China to Advent International
2016
Acquired Graphic Controls, USA
2016