Diversification strategy prompts the region’s largest paper merchant to acquire Total Supply, New Zealand’s foremost sign and display supplier.
John Greenacre, GM Spicers New Zealand, has welcomed the acquisition as an opportunity to develop an even larger business from the two separate companies. “Spicers in New Zealand has always taken great pride in being not one large company, but in reality a series of local merchants very much focused on the local client experience,” said Greenacre.
“Dean Stuart and his excellent team at Total Supply are very much aligned in this focus, which is how they themselves have built such an impressive business. Our two businesses therefore will complement each other tremendously and I am very excited at the prospects created by this, the next important chapter of Spicers journey.
“By bringing our two business together Dean and I fully intend to be greater than the sum of our parts.”
The move is in line with Spicer’s ongoing strategy to diversify its offerings to the market. In recent years the global company has steadily increased its participation and revenue from a number of sectors, not least sign and display.
According to Andy Preece, Executive General Manager Spicers ANZA, the latest takeover will set the stage for the company’s rapid growth in the thriving New Zealand market.
“This acquisition fully supports Spicers diversification plans, installing the group immediately as a leading local market supplier. The marriage of the two businesses provides the opportunity for rapid and significant growth with Total Supply now able to fully exploit Spicers significant national footprint and infrastructure, and further leveraging off a global parent that already receives 11% of its total revenue from the sign and display segment,” said Preece.
“Deals such as Total Supply represent a core strategic priority for our businesses. This an excellent example of the ongoing execution of our program, and demonstrates our continued desire and ability to fund and drive diversification through targeted acquisition”
Known as Total Supply since 2004, the business was originally incorporated in 1962 and has been serving the Graphic Art and Sign Industries throughout that time under various entities such as Letraset and Esselte NZ. In August 2004 after a successful MBO of the Sign Division of Esselte NZ, and also the subsequent purchase of Spandex NZ in 2008, Total Supply has evolved to become one of the key industry players within its markets and a significant business in its own right.
Today Total Supply is New Zealand’s foremost sign industry supplier, committed to delivering quality, cost effective products and service. It endeavours to supply everything a sign company needs to be at the cutting edge of technology, delivering upon a policy of excellence in supply range, service and compatible component systems.