Blue Star adds mailing to its Melbourne operations

The purchase will deliver a similar mailing capacity to Blue Star’s Victorian operations as it has already in Sydney with Kings Mailing. 55 Laser will relocate to a purpose built facility at the Clayton site in March.

The acquisition rounds off the Victorian growth strategy of Blue Star, which describes itself as Australia’s most progressive print and marketing communications company. An initial purchase of Craftsman Press was followed by the purchase in July 2006 of Print in Vision and the subsequent development of the Clayton site, which proved to be Heidelberg Australia’s largest single installation.

According to Geoff Selig, CEO of Blue Star Print Group Australia, the acquisition of 55 Laser is proof of the company’s growth strategy in the Victorian market. “The acquisition builds further on Blue Star’s recent A$15 million investment in Melbourne that includes a new purpose built production facility and a full re equipping of the plant with new kit.

“I am delighted that the three 55 Laser directors – Guy Redgrave, Allen Smeaton, Shaun Williams – have entered into long term employment agreements with Blue Star. All three will add significantly to our depth of experience in the Victorian marketplace.”

Blue Star, a New Zealand-based company, was taken over by private equity bank CHAMP last year. It is believed to have been a bidder in the Promentum takeover battle but was pipped by another New Zealand based, private equity backed printing company, Pacific Printing.

It is still on the acquisition path and according to Selig; “We will continue to seek out acquisitions of suitable printing and/or mailhouse businesses as we grow market share. It is part of a cohesive strategy based on acquisitions, extensive capital investment and innovation.”