Vistaprint acquires Webs for $117.5 million

Vistaprint, a supplier of printed promotional materials, further expands services into online spaces

Here's a story about one acquisitive company being bought by another. Vistaprint, an online supplier of printed promotional materials, business cards and pamphlets and the like, announced Monday it had acquired Webs, Inc. for $117.5 million. Webs, Inc. is a website builder for small businesses, as well as a facilitator for businesses to create Facebook pages and mobile apps.

The Webs deal consists of $100 million in cash and $17.5 in restricted shares, "subject to the continued employment of the founding shareholders." Webs will continue to function under its own brand.

Founded in 1995, Vistaprint's annual clientele is 11 million strong. The company employs over 3,100 people, operates 25 global websites, and ships to over 130 countries.

The expansion of Vistaprint's supply of printed promotional materials to produce online marketing solutions is only one of their recent bids to expand their services. Another recent acquisition by Vistaprint was their purchase of Dutch photobook software company Albumprinter in October, for €60 million, or roughly $83.3 million.

Like the even more recent Webs acquisition, Albumprinter operates under the Vistaprint umbrella while still maintaining its own distinct brand.

Started in 2001, Webs has over 40 million customers and 100,000 paying clients. It has received $12 million funding from Columbia Capital, Novak Biddle Venture Partners, and Nigel Morris. The company's 2011 revenue is projected at $9 million, and is based in Silver Springs, Maryland with 50 employees.

Earlier this year, Webs had acquired Pagemodo, a site that helps users create Facebook pages, and which they put to good use through their own services. Webs also bought ContactMe, a customer relationship management suite. The company also recently launched a new feature through their services which allows clients to make their business websites smartphone-friendly.

Vistaprint (VPRT) will not trade shares Monday morning.