Blue Star builds on its STI buyout
Thompson Print and Displays, the Sydney and Tamworth-based manufacturer will fit neatly into the company’s expanding retail display business. A heads of agreement is expected to complete on February 27 when Thompson people will shift over to the Padstow facility of Blue Star STI
According to a company press release, the intended transaction follows on from Blue Star’s acquisition of STI Lilyfield from STI Group in mid-2014 and 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 integration of Thompson POS will add screen printing capability to Padstow’s existing sheetfed offset and large format digital production capability. The company says a significant number of existing Thompson employees will be offered employment with Blue Star.
Current Blue Star STI General Manager Guy Watson will lead the combined business, with Thompson POS Managing Director Tony Kent assuming a senior role within the business.
Blue Star’s Chief Operating Officer Matt Aitken said “Thompson POS is highly regarded within the industry, with a strong reputation for quality, innovation and service. We look forward to having Tony and his team join Blue Star and are excited about the enhanced value proposition the Thompson POS acquisition creates for all customers”.
Aitken adds “Blue Star will continue to invest heavily in this area over the coming 12 months through significant additional investment in its digital point of sale production platforms and further potential acquisitions. Our strategy will continue to focus on the growth and expansion of the services offering we take to market in this space”
Thompson POS Managing Director Tony Kent said “the opportunity to bring together two businesses that each have unique strengths in Point of Purchase and Point of Sale is a great thing for our collective customers and will deliver a broader solutions offering with greater capacity and diversity.”