Blue Star moves on Melbourne market buying Print in Vision

As part of its $15 million expansion it bought Melbourne printer, Print in Vision. This follows an initial Victorian purchase of Craftsman Press last year. It is part of a growth through acquisition strategy in Australia, following the company’s purchase of Merritt Madden in Alexandria, Sydney in late 2004. Blue Star made its original landfall in Australia with the buyout of Link Printing in Sydney.

The expansion includes a considerable investment in new presses with three new Heidelberg presses to be installed next month. They include two perfecting machines, a ten-colour and an eight-colour, and a Speedmaster XL 105 with coater. A new ST350 stitcher and two new folders have also been ordered.

Geoff Selig, CEO of Blue Star Print Group Australia, claims the acquisition of Print In Vision represents a further realisation of his company’s growth strategy in the Australian market.

“This latest acquisition combined with our investment in other parts of the business significantly increases our capacity to offer a broader range of products and solutions to our customer base in this key market,” says Selig.

“I am delighted that the four Print In Vision directors (Brad Hoffmann, Warren Hoffman, Steuart Orchard, Robert Grlj) have entered into long term employment agreements with Blue Star. All four will add significantly to our depth of experience in the Victorian marketplace,” he says.

Selig says the new facility and purchase of Vision in Print will tie in neatly with the impressive growth Blue Star has achieved over the past five years.

“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.”

Blue Star Print Group Australia is part of New Zealand’s Blue Star Print Group Limited, which boasts revenues of A$320 million and Trans Tasman operations including sheetfed printing, web offset printing, mailing services, logistics, print management and supply chain services.