OTTAWA—The Lowe-Martin Group, a major Canadian commercial printer in Ottawa, has bought Dollco Integrated Print Solutions, which prints several publications.

"The acquisition adds Dollco's experience and market reach to The Lowe-Martin Group's award-winning suite of print-related offerings," reads a release from Lowe-Martin.

Under the agreement, Dollco will operate as a division of the Lowe-Martin Group, specializing in publication and web printing. Kevin Nicholds, the president of Dollco, will take on the title of president and oversee the new division, noted the release.

Lowe-Martin will look to Nicholds for "growth in the publication and web printing markets, and (he) will play a key role in the development of Lowe-Martin's marketing and business development strategies."

Ward Griffin, chief executive officer of Lowe-Martin Group, noted, "The Nicholds family has contributed a great deal to our industry and our community, so it is a pleasure for me to welcome Kevin Nicholds to our executive team. Dollco's staff has worked hard to develop the company's reputation for excellence."

Griffin added, "The synergies between our companies provide new opportunities for product development and enhanced levels of customer service. Our customers can be confident that they can rely on us for many years to come."

Nicholds outlined the benefits the acquisition will bring to Dollco's customers. "I've known Ward for many years and have always held his company and its products in the highest regard," he said in the statement. "The wide range of products and services we offer together will make it easier and more cost effective for our customers to succeed with their marketing and communications plans."

Lowe-Martin offers offset printing, publication printing and subscription services, direct and multi-channel marketing, online ordering, mobile app development, logistics, and fulfillment. It has production facilities in Ottawa and Mississauga.

The Lowe-Martin Group has been in business since 1908 and employs 320 people. Dollco has been around since 1918 (owned by Nicholds since 1958) and employs 260 people, according to the release.

In the June 2011 Graphic Monthly annual Gold List of top printers in Canada by sales, Dollco ranked 19th with $50 million in 2010 reported sales, while Lowe-Martin ranked 22nd at $48.5 million.

UPDATE: There's no immediate plans for any layoffs as a result of the merger.