Australia’s biggest sheetfed printer Blue Star is expanding its presence in the promotional products market with its takeover of Melbourne’s Frost Merchandising, bringing its acquisition tally for 2016 to three.  

The deal comes after the division of IVE Group’s initial foray into the $1.5bn merchandising market in April 2015 when it acquired Sydney-based agency Vavavoom, which was rebranded as Blue Star Promote.

Blue Star Promote is the Group’s sixth segment which was created following its transition to a fully-fledged marketing and communications company.

As Australian Printer understands, Frost Merchandising will integrate into the Promote business in Clayton, Melbourne. Frost’s team of promotional specialists will report to Blue Star Promote general manager Matt Cave.

Commenting on the takeover, Cave says, “Frost Merchandising is an incredibly well run and creative promotional agency with a long history servicing some of Australia’s most well-known brands.

“Frost Merchandising’s focus on quality, product safety and ethical trading were major draw cards for us. We very much look forward to combining forces to enhance our value proposition to clients and the broader marketing community in Melbourne.”

Frost Merchandising CEO Mark Laidlaw adds, “It was clear from the outset that there was a great cultural fit between Frost and Blue Star Promote.”  

Frost Merchandising is an Australian-owned company which has operated for the past 27 years. Its range of promotional items include confectionary, clothing, stationary and homewares.  

The latest acquisition follows after Blue Star’s takeover of Victoria’s Fineline Printing in April and Melbourne direct communications service provider LCS Connect in February.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter