Neopost moves into Australia with GBC acquisition

Neopost has established a direct presence in Australia through the acquisition of commercial document finishing and business mailing solutions firm GBC Australia. The acquisition follows Neopost’s strategy to develop its activities in the Asia-Pacific arena, with regional headquarters in Singapore.

GBC Australia provides equipment, supplies and service for document binding, laminating, printing, shredding and mail processing. As part of its offering, GBC Australia has been the exclusive distributor of Neopost systems in Australia for almost twenty years.

Once fully consolidated by Neopost, GBC Australia’s shall bring Neopost additional sales of around EUR 30m on a full-year basis, the company said.

Previously, a subsidiary of ACCO Brands Corporation, GBC Australia employs approximately 175 people. The company’s head office is located in Sydney. It has branches in Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra along with GBC authorised dealerships in South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania and in New Zealand.

GBC Australia should bring Neopost about EUR 20m in additional sales in 2011. Given that amongst the underlying assumptions of Neopost’s former sales guidance, which was set at 2 to 4% growth at constant exchange rates, the Group was expecting dealer acquisitions to contribute approximately 1% of growth, Neopost sales growth is now expected to reach 3 to 5% at constant exchange rates in 2011.

The role of the newly established office in Singapore will be to oversee and support Neopost marketing and sales operations in the entire region.

Including GBC Australia, Neopost Asia-Pacific should achieve sales close to EUR 50m as early as in 2012.

Denis Thiery, chairman and CEO of Neopost, stated: “We are very pleased to strengthen our presence in Asia-Pacific. Through the acquisition of GBC Australia and the setting up of our regional headquarters, we are taking two important steps in the development of our sales in a fast growing and promising region.

“Controlling our distribution network with a direct ownership of our own channels is a cornerstone of our strategy, allowing for a better deployment of the Neopost business model.

“Whilst giving us access to new product ranges that complement our existing offer, the acquisition of GBC will also bring to Australian customers an easier access to Neopost innovative solutions and enhanced services in the mailing business.”