Sydney-based printer continues its run of acquisitions in the point-of-sale marketing sector with a heads of agreement to take over The POS Collective.
The transaction follows on Blue Star’s acquisition of STI Lilyfield last year and Thompson POS in February. The POS Collective is itself the result of the consolidation of two businesses, OSS Digital and POP Impact. It makes Blue Star into a major player in the space with Lee McClymont, general manager POPAI, the sector association, hailing it as part of a move towards a more sophisticated industry. The POS Collective is a multi-award winner at the POPAI annual competition.
"It's good news for the sector and part of the trend towards consolidation as companies look to acquire more capabilities. Clients are looking for integration from companies able to handle multiple complex campaigns," she said.
According to Blue Star, the deal forms part of an ongoing growth strategy to create a formidable and unique offering for retailers and marketers in the retail marketing space in Australia. The business will be integrated with Blue Star’s existing retail display facility in Padstow, with the combined business operating under the Blue Star brand.
Along with further enhancing Blue Star’s existing production capability in Padstow, this acquisition will also add a well-established offshore supply chain through a dedicated sourcing and procurement team in Asia. The majority of existing POS Collective employees will be offered employment with Blue Star as part of the integration, which brings additional talent into the Blue Star business.
Blue Star STI General Manager Guy Watson will lead the combined business, with Ashay Sharma and James Camilleri assuming senior roles within the business. Greg Edkins and Zac Bank will support the business through the initial transition phase.
Matt Aitken, Blue Star’s COO said there will be benefits from the acquisition for all customers. “In addition to The POS Collective and the recent Thompson acquisitions, Blue Star will continue to invest heavily in this area with our strategy focused on the growth and expansion of our value proposition in the retail marketing space.”
The alignment in growth strategy for both The POS Collective and Blue Star makes this acquisition a good fit for both businesses "We are genuinely excited about providing our client base with both local and offshore manufacturing options moving forward,” said Ashay Sharma, director, The POS Collective.