Signpac, a digital and static signage specialist with deep roots in the education sector, has been acquired by GJI Group as it continues its investment in complementary businesses within the digital, marketing, signage and media sectors.

The acquisition of Signpac follows GJI Group’s purchase of leading wide format print business Colorcorp in April this year.

Signpac, based in Sydney’s north, has operated for over 20 years and seven years ago was bought by Larry Wainstein who has over time built it up to 16 staff with a considerable presence in the school signage space due in large part to specialising in digital media signage.

It has also moved three times in those years to its current location in Hornsby.

Wainstein will continue to be the general manager of Signpac with all staff to stay on and nothing operationally to change at all despite the ownership swap.

When asked by Sprinter what it was like when he was approached about the possible sale, Wainstein said it was a privilege to know that the business he had built was being sought after.

“I felt privileged that a group of that calibre saw Signpac as a fit to their group and where they want to go and what they want to achieve,” Wainstein told Sprinter.

“I will continue running Signpac so there is almost no disruption at all to my staff and to our operation and the way we’ve been doing things for the last number of years. It just means now we have the benefit to be a part of this group so we can grow.

“Their philosophy is to acquire companies that have synergies with one another so as a group there is the sharing of contacts and leads and your opportunity for growth is accelerated.”

GJI Group general manager Marcus Emery said the addition of Signpac to its stable will bring further synergies to GJI Group.

“We are always on the look out for complementary businesses that can help our business grow,” Emery told Sprinter.

“The Signpac acquisition is strategically important to the GJI Group.

“Our existing clients are now able to benefit from Signpac’s leading edge digital display technology.”

Wainstein agreed that many print business owners may see an offer from GJI Group as a blessing, but added that the benefit for him is he continues to run his business while having the financial backing of a larger group.

“My heart is in this place. It’s my baby, I’ve grown it and nurtured it to where it is today from something that was really really small to something that is really big,” Wainstein said.

“Financially they are backing it but I’m still the general manager and I’m responsible for revenue. But will it change? I don’t know because I think my attitude towards the place can’t just change because there is new owners. This place is my baby.”

GJI Group chief executive officer Mark James recently announced that the group were actively searching for brands to acquire which complement the group’s collective skill set and capabilities to help their clients find, keep and grow their customers.

Signpac will now join a growing list of companies under the GJI Group banner Customology, Colorcorp and Conversify.

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