Phil Salter succumbs to illness

Phil Salter, co-founder of direct marketing business Salmat, has passed away at age 64 following a long illness. Salter co-founded Salmat together with his father Tom Salter and friend Peter Mattick in 1979 from nothing, with the business growing from a modest catalogue distributer into a multi-platform ASX-listed company. Salter and Mattick are credited as two of the best businessmen of their generation, certainly in the print and print related fields, with their ability to recognize opportunity and drive customer results. The founders sold the BPO (which did most of the printing) part of the business to Fuji Xerox three years ago in a deal worth $375m. Peter Mattick, still the Salmat chairman, paid tribute to his friend and colleague, saying “I have lost a great friend and business partner and I will miss him dearly.” “Phil was an astute businessman who understood the value of strong client relationships. He was a large personality whose presence was felt in many areas.”

RIP: Phil Salter, Salmat

RIP: Phil Salter, Salmat

Salter retired from his role as Salmat managing director in 2009 and served as a non-executive director since then. Salmat chief executive Craig Dower says the business still operates with the culture Salter established at its inception. “Phil has left a tremendous legacy in Salmat. Our culture is still based on the values instilled in the business by Phil and Pete. His extended Salmat family is in mourning and he will be greatly missed.” Salmat employs more than 4000 people in Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. Salter is survived by his wife Christine, his six children Daniel, Andrew, Anna, Dominic, Richard and Juliet along with his mother Mary and extended family.

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