Harland ‘Cleans Up’ Before Wedding With Clarke American

ATLANTA – Representatives of Clarke American have been meeting with employees at John H. Harland Co. in preparation of the combination of the two leading check printers, even as they await clearance from antitrust regulators. Employees of the two companies have been meeting in a ‘clean room’ at Harland headquarters where they are discussing topics like IT systems, sales processes and benefits, Harland reported in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Harland noted the two companies will continue to compete until the $1.7 billion merger closes, but they have set up a ‘clean room’ where non-operations people from Clarke American are talking with Harland employees. Harland is being acquired by Clarke American’s parent, M&F Worldwide, the vehicle for financier Ron Perelman, who plans to combine the number two and three check printers to create the nation’s largest producer of checks. The deal must is being reviewed by federal regulators for possible antitrust issues.