According to Ergo's most recent ASIC filing, for 2011-12, Australian sales grew 29.8% to $100.3 million, while net profit fell 9.5% to $2.1 million. The figures do not include overseas operations.
Chief executive Eugene Cora said the growth, which chimes with the forecast he made 12 months ago, was mainly due to the multinational print manager broadening its service offering.
"We now do elements such as digital, artwork creation, display and signage. They're all things we haven't done as much of traditionally. Customers like what we do," he told ProPrint.
He said Australia would experience only "nominal growth" in 2012-13, and that its share of global turnover would decline to about 50-55%. Profitability is forecast to remain flat or slightly decrease.
"We're growing still, but most of the growth is offshore. We now operate in 10 countries. The high-growth areas are outside Australia."
Cora said he was unconcerned by Australia's performance, because global profitability had been "increasing strongly". He added that Australia, being the global headquarters and parent, "injects the early investment into any new territory".
[Related: Eugene Cora makes 2012 ProPrint Power 50]
He said Australia had helped fund the costs for Ergo's move into Vietnam, Philippines and Singapore in 2011-12 and would also help fund moves into three new Asian countries and one non-Asian country, which he declined to name.
Ergo has expanded its business without incurring debt, said Cora.
"We're still debt-free in every country. It's our philosophy. It's something we work very hard to maintain because it's a prudent way to operate, particularly during the last few years with the global economy being the way it is."
Cora told ProPrint that Ergo had figured out the formula for operating in different countries: establish common systems, find good local partners, recruit a diverse workforce and maintain a global outlook.
"We serve some clients in multiple countries. At the moment, our biggest client goes across eight countries. We have several that are in three to five."
Despite Ergo's growth, headcount has remained steady at about 180 during the past year. Cora said staffing levels would remain at similar levels as the company looked to get more done with the same number of people.
"Technology will be the key. In the past couple of years, we've made significant investments in the technology side."
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