What eFORMA does

eFORMA® vzw is a Belgian non-profit cooperative association (vzw) founded in 1961 by a group of specialized business communication service providers and registered in Zurich in 1962. It operates as an international network of business communication service providers, coordinating activities across 7 share-holding companies, 51 majority-owned specialized daughter firms, and roughly 5,071 employees distributed across 21 countries. The Turnhout, Belgium head office functions as a coordinating "turntable" — providing technology, product, and market know-how, running common development projects, organizing education seminars, workshops, study tours, and benchmark analyses, and supporting members in purchasing, evaluation, and investment projects.

The network's offering is built around four integrated service pillars: Service Strategies (coordinated inter-group selling, benchmark analysis, training, and hotline support); Print Management Services (consolidated transactional printing, postal delivery, hybrid mail, mailroom outsourcing, and facility/forms management); Print Related Services & Products (A4 laser forms, business forms and systems, cheques and commercial security documents, digital variable data printing, labels and ticket systems, plastic/ID cards, transpromo and transactional printing); and Electronic Technologies & Services (augmented reality, automatic ID systems, campaign management, database management, document management and automation, electronic forms, e-commerce applications, individualized videos, omnichannel output, RFID application development/middleware/transponders, and software development). Underlying production assets include 66 monochrome and 68 color high-speed non-impact printers and consumption of 56,037 tons of paper per year (2020 figures).

eFORMA earns revenue indirectly by serving as the network platform for its member companies, which in turn monetize enterprise customers through subscription/managed service contracts, product sales, and professional services. Member-driven revenue streams include member network services (recurring/subscription), print management (managed services), print-related products (hardware/sales), and electronic technologies services (professional services). Membership is Board-gated and restricted to companies whose primary business is in business communication services; the cooperative is not venture-backed, has no parent, and reports no public listing. eFORMA® and its eforma.com, eforma.ch, and eforma.eu trademarks are registered brand assets.

Name

eFORMA

Legal name

eFORMA® vzw

Website

https://eforma.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

eFORMA is a Belgian non-profit cooperative association founded in 1961 that coordinates an international network of business communication service providers across 21 countries via 7 holding companies and 51 specialized member firms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Communication Services

NAICS

Direct Mail Advertising (54186), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Direct Mail Advertising Services (7331), Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

eSignature, Forms & Digital Workflow Platforms (HDAEAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Customer Experience (CX) & Voice-of-Customer Analytics (BPAHALAK)

Keywords

• Business communication services
• Document management services
• Print management services
• Transactional printing
• Omnichannel communications

Headquarters

HQ city

Winterthur

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Member Network Services: eFORMA operates as a non-profit organization (vzw) primarily serving member companies. The network provides shared services including technology and market know-how sharing, common development projects, purchasing of special consumables, evaluation and investment projects, and organizing education seminars and workshops.
2. Print Management Services: Consolidated transactional printing, consolidated postal delivery, facility management services, forms management and logistic services, hybrid mail services, print and mailroom services, print and mailroom outsourcing, and total print management services.
3. Print Related Products: A4 laser forms, business forms and systems, cheques and commercial security documents, commercial printing, computer products and office supplies, digital variable data printing, direct response printing, e-commerce return labels, labels and ticket systems, plastic cards, personalization services, programmatic printing, self-seal mailing systems, transpromo printing, and transactional printing.
4. Electronic Technologies Services: Augmented reality, automatic ID systems, campaign management, database management, document management, document automation, electronic forms systems, e-commerce applications, individualized videos, internet and e-business services, multimedia communication systems, omni channel output, RFID solutions, and software development.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

eFORMA is an international cooperative network of business communication service providers, operating as a non-profit association (vzw) headquartered in Turnhout, Belgium. Through its member companies present in 21 countries, it delivers integrated paper, print, and electronic communication solutions spanning transactional printing, document management, mailroom outsourcing, RFID, and omnichannel customer communications. The Turnhout office coordinates technology, product, and market know-how sharing, common development projects, joint purchasing, education seminars, and benchmark analyses across the network.

Product overview

eFORMA® is an international network of business communication service providers offering a unified portfolio of four interconnected service pillars: Service Strategies (strategic consulting and coordination), Print Management Services (outsourcing and consolidated print/postal operations), Print related Services & Products (physical print production and materials), and Electronic Technologies & Services (digital, electronic, and RFID-based communication solutions). The network acts as a platform for member companies to collaborate on technology sharing, product development, and serving customers across transactional and promotional business communication. The four service areas are designed to work together, enabling member companies to provide integrated paper, print, and electronic technology solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Service Strategies Strategic services providing member companies with access to a wide range of products and communication solutions, coordinated inter-group selling of specialty products, benchmark analysis, training programs, and hotline support for emergency supplies.
• Print Management Services Comprehensive managed print services including consolidated transactional printing, consolidated postal delivery, facility management, forms management and logistics, hybrid mail services, print and mailroom services, and total print management outsourcing for enterprise customers.
• Print related Services & Products Physical print products and services including A4 laser forms, business forms and systems, cheques and commercial security documents, commercial printing, digital variable data printing, labels and ticket systems, plastic and ID cards, programmatic printing, self-seal mailing systems, transpromo printing, and transactional printing.
• Electronic Technologies & Services Electronic and digital communication services including augmented reality, automatic ID systems, campaign management, database management, document management and automation, electronic forms systems, e-commerce applications, individualized videos, internet and e-business services, multimedia communication systems, omnichannel output, RFID application development with middleware and transponders, and custom software development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 574,055 Million € annual turnover across the network (Year 2020)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• ContiSystemsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2023MAILCOMMS, Madrid/Spain successfully acquired ContiSystems, São Domingos de Rana / Portugal, a leading Portuguese company specializing in personalized print and digital communications, as well as means of payment such as financial cards and bank checks. This acquisition reinforces MAILCOMMS presence in the Portuguese market and positions MAILCOMMS as the Iberian reference for personalized omnichannel communication services.
• Baumer AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of eFORMA network from Switzerland (Islikon and Winterthur locations). Part of the global network of business communication service providers sharing market and technology know-how.
• Bidvest Paperplus (PTY) LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of eFORMA network from South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pinetown, Stormill, Isithebe locations). Operates multiple subsidiaries including Lithotech, Bidvest Data, Bidvest Digital, Sprint Packaging, Lufil Packaging, Masterpack, Lithotech Blesston, and Rotolabel.
• DPI Holding GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of eFORMA network from Austria (Vienna, Vöcklabruck, Gmunden) and Switzerland (Wittenbach, Basel, Bern). Operates subsidiaries including VENDO Kommunikation + Druck, kb-suisse, prinux, portoservice.at, LDD Communication, Jack Project, aforms2web, and EGOV-Consult.
• F.E. Bording A/ScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of eFORMA network from Denmark (Glostrup, Søborg, Aarhus, Allingåbro, Hvidovre, Horsens, Vejle), Norway (Oslo), Sweden (Borås, Norsborg), and Bangladesh (Dhaka). Operates Bording, Bording PRO, Bording Logistic, Bording Cognito, Bording Data, Bording AB Sverige, Bording Link, Bording Vista Ltd., Bording Mailit AB, A-Mail Kuverter, KLS Grafisk Hus, Klimax, and Relationshuset Gekko.
• Group JooscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of eFORMA network from Belgium (Turnhout). Chairman of the Board Mr. Alex Joos leads Group Joos. Operates subsidiaries including Joos nv and Grafische Groep Matthys.
• Koninklijke Kampert en Helm Rotaform BVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of eFORMA network from Netherlands (Lelystad, Amsterdam). Board member Mr. Allard van Oostveen is Managing Director. Operates iFlavours BV and Compri BV.
• MailComms GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of eFORMA network from Spain (Madrid, Navarra, Barcelona, Bilbao), USA (Boston), Mexico (CDMX), Italy (Turin), and Portugal (Lisbon, Porto, Aveiro). Board member Mr. Javier Echebarria is CEO. Operates MailTecK, CustomerComms, UnifiedComs, and ContiSystems (acquired 2023).
• Michael Schiffer Dialog GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of eFORMA network from Germany (Rheinberg). Operates SmartCom GmbH.
• Print Media GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of eFORMA network from Australia (Scoresby Vic.). Operates Allclear Print + Signs, Hippo Blue, and BB Print.
• Ramón Chozas S.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember company of eFORMA network from Argentina (Buenos Aires).

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• arvato (Bertelsmann): German BPO subsidiary of Bertelsmann providing customer communications management including transactional printing, digital communications, and document management services. Comparable to eFORMA in providing customer communications services across print and digital channels.
• RR Donnelley: Major US-based business communications and printing services company serving enterprise customers worldwide with transactional printing, direct mail, and integrated marketing solutions. Comparable to eFORMA as a broad incumbent in business communication services with similar product pillars.
• Pitney Bowes: US-based company providing mailing, shipping, and customer engagement solutions including transactional mail and document services. Comparable to eFORMA in addressing enterprise business communication needs through integrated mail and document services.
• Toppan: Japanese diversified printing and communications group with global operations spanning secure printing, digital communications, and electronic technologies. Comparable to eFORMA's combination of print products, document management, and electronic services portfolio.
• Ricoh: Japanese multinational providing document management, managed print services, and digital workflow solutions to enterprises globally. Comparable to eFORMA in offering integrated print, document, and digital workflow services across multiple geographies.
• Dai Nippon Printing (DNP): Japanese printing and communications conglomerate with global operations in commercial printing, information communication, and electronic technologies. Comparable to eFORMA's integrated print and electronic communication offerings for enterprise customers.
• Quad/Graphics: US-based commercial printing and integrated marketing services company serving enterprise customers with cross-channel marketing capabilities. Comparable to eFORMA as a major printing and communications services provider with omnichannel production capability.

Emerging players

• DocuSign: US-based provider of e-signature and digital agreement/workflow solutions with broad enterprise adoption. Comparable to eFORMA's electronic forms, document automation, and digital workflow capabilities, representing the digital-first evolution of business communication.
• Adobe: US-based software company providing document management (Acrobat), digital workflow, and marketing automation solutions used by enterprises globally. Comparable to eFORMA's electronic technologies portfolio including document management and digital communication tools.

Direct peers

• Transcontinental Inc. Canadian packaging and marketing communications company providing integrated print, digital, and marketing services to enterprise customers across North America. Comparable to eFORMA as a multi-region communications services provider spanning print and digital channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about eFORMA