By Mike Boyer
Enquirer staff writer

DOWNTOWN - Cincinnati's Multi-Color Corp. is back in the hunt for acquisitions after taking a breather for a year.

Frank Gerace, president and CEO, told shareholders Thursday at the Queen City Club that the company was exploring several possible deals and expects to complete at least one by year-end.

The label printing and contract packaging supplier has seen double-digit growth over the last five years, in part by expanding its portfolio of label-printing technologies by acquiring other companies.

Revenues last year were a record $127 million, and earnings increased 3 percent to $6.5 million, after one-time charges for a plant closing.

"There's not a lot of technology we don't have,'' Gerace told a shareholder asking about what type of acquisitions the company was interested in.

Multi-Color's biggest acquisition was in early 2003 when it acquired the North American heat-transfer label business of Avery Dennison Corp.

Gerace said the company was interested in acquisitions that expand its customer base.

Procter & Gamble and Limited Brands last year represented 46 percent of total sales.

"They're wonderful companies. We love them,'' Gerace said. "But we're looking to reduce our (sales) concentration.''

Gerace said the company also wants to broaden its Sharonville-based packaging services business, which grew 43 percent last year.

Shares in Multi-Color closed Thursday at $15.75, up 45 cents.

E-mail mboyer@enquirer.com