The deal brings to an end a dramatic fall from grace for Anitech, which has gone through a horror stretch since its long-term management changed two years ago. A turbulent period saw further dramatic management changes along with massive downsizing in employee numbers and rationalising of interstate branches and warehouses.
Buffeted by uncertainty the once dominant supplier was reduced to a shadow of its former self. HGL had written its carrying value in Anitech down to zero in March and, although there is still undoubtedly good value in the business, the Neopost deal can almost be seen as a rescue mission.
The staff, the majority of who will join Neopost in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, will particularly welcome it.
Stuart Macdonald, managing director of Neopost Australia, formerly GBC Australia, and owned by the French-based Neopost Group, says Anitech is an ‘excellent strategic fit’ for Neopost, with a complementary product range and an extensive service and support structure that will enable Neopost to bring an expanded offering to existing customers of both companies.
“This acquisition is an important move for Neopost as combining these two businesses will allow us to offer our customers access to the trusted brands supplied by Anitech, while offering existing Anitech customers new opportunities provided by our own extensive product range,” said MacDonald.
“We are also fortunate that the majority of Anitech’s staff will be joining the Neopost team, including sales and product specialists and operational staff across administration, purchasing, sales support, customer service, technical service and logistics to provide customers of both companies with a greatly expanded level of expertise, service and support.”
Raj Dang, Sales Director of Neopost elaborates, saying many of Anitech’s staff will be joining a new Sign & Display Division the company is in the process of creating to focus solely on servicing the needs of the wide format print market.
“The Sign & Display Division reflects our expanded involvement in this sector of the market and demonstrates to existing Anitech customers our commitment to their specific requirements,” he said, adding that many of the existing Anitech team will be joining this Division.
“Anitech has an excellent stable of brands like LG, Seiko and KIP, which integrate almost seamlessly with our own offering, which not only includes printers like HP and Jetrix, but a wide range of other products in the mailing, binding, folding and inserting areas,” he said.
“In this respect, it’s a logical ‘marriage’ of two complementary operations, bringing a very strong proposition to the market.”
Customers of either company who have questions about the acquisition and its impact can contact their local Neopost office or email the company at a specially created address, anitech@neopost.com.au