Shock as Direct Mail & Marketing into admin

One of the country's major direct mail houses, Direct Mail & Marketing, is in voluntary administration, sending a cold shiver through the Victorian print industry.

With its corporate office in Bourke Street and production centred in Dandenong South, the company is a powerhouse of the sector. When it merged with Datasend a decade ago it created one of the largest privately-owned mail houses in Australia.

Run by long time managing director Fred Humphrey, the company called in the administrator on Thursday.

It describes itself as "an industry leader providing multi-channel communication solutions tailored to the needs of individual businesses across Australia". The business is split into three main divisions: workplace and process automaton; communication; and technology.

It operates a range of offset and digital presses, as well as providing digital solutions such as online marketing and digital store fronts, in addition to its extensive mailing capabilities.