Shutterfly to be merged with Snapfish after $2.7B acquisition

John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

American private equity firm, Apollo Global Management LLC (AGM), has agreed to acquire photo printing platforms Shutterfly and Snapfish. According to Reuters, AGM is set to purchase Shutterfly Inc for $2.7 billion, including $900 million in debt. AGM also announced intentions to purchase Snapfish LLC, another Internet-based retailer of photography products. And, apparently, they plan to merge them together.

Shutterfly is based in Redwood City, California and sells personalised consumer photography products such as photo books, greetings cards, stationery, calendars and the like. It was founded in 1999 and competes with similar online services such as Vistaprint and Snapfish – the latter of which is also to be acquired and merged with Shutterfly.

Last year, Shutterfly acquired the privately owned Lifetouch, a company which provides photography services to schools and families, for $825 million in cash. There’s no word on what will happen with Lifetouch, so presumably, it’s business as usual for them.

No information has been provided on figures for acquiring Snapfish nor exactly when the acquisition will take place. But as of right now, both the Shutterfly and Snapfish websites are operating the way they always have, offering all of the usual services and products. There’s no word on when or how the merger will happen.

Do you use Shutterfly or Snapfish?

[Reuters via DPReview]


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John Aldred

John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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7 responses to “Shutterfly to be merged with Snapfish after $2.7B acquisition”

  1. Marko Avatar
    Marko

    SHUFFERFLY or SHUTTERFLY?

    1. Kaouthia Avatar
      Kaouthia

      Oops! :)

      1. Marko Avatar
  2. Marko Avatar
    Marko

    Well, maybe they will let LifeTouch go, it would be a bonanza for small local photographers.

    1. Gary Pageau Avatar
      Gary Pageau

      No chance; Lifetouch is a cash-flow machine for their off-peak periods.

      1. Marko Avatar
        Marko

        Oh well…Just a thought.

  3. Shadyrose Avatar
    Shadyrose

    Seeing as how Snapfish is a tiny company compared to Shutterfly the headline isn’t very accurate. Snapfish will be merged with Shutterfly.

    It is indeed business as usual with Lifetouch, they simply moved most yearbook production to Shutterfly’s facilities.