Australian packaging outfits Omniverse Group and Foster Packaging have officially merged, creating a single entity titled Omniverse Foster Packaging Group.

After a long history of crossing paths as separate companies, Omniverse and Foster Packaging have now pooled their resources, staff and operations into a singular outfit, responding to the need to consolidate in a dynamic industry.

Omniverse co-founder Darren Brits says the merger with Foster is a long time coming, following lengthy discussions over a two-year period and a long-term relationship with owner Joe Foster.

“It has been a long road to get to this point, we have been dealing with Foster for around six years and have had a great opportunity to get to know the business,” says Brits.

“There is a lot of synergy between both companies, and what Omniverse Group was lacking Foster Packaging has been able to fill the chinks in our armour.”

Foster co-founder Joe Foster tells ProPrint the combined entity will be a far stronger player in the packaging market following the merger.

“Both companies have operated independently with success for some time, and together Omniverse Foster Packaging Group is an even more powerful business with shared skills and expertise,” says Foster.

“It made good business sense to merge, we share the same passion and vision and the same belief in the market. We want to be known as one of the best packaging groups that are always first to market.”

Operations will be shifted to Omniverse’s dedicated manufacturing facility in Melbourne, which also houses an internal laboratory for product testing and traceability.

All staff from both businesses are set to stay on board with the newly created group, and fellow Omniverse co-founder Brenden Lee says the merger has paved the way for new expansion opportunities both in Australia and overseas.

“A merger naturally creates an opportunity to grow in a much faster way and on a much larger scale. It would be the first step in exponential growth for this newly created powerhouse,” says Yee.

“Any expansions will be methodical and carefully planned, just like this merger. The two powerful brands can piggyback off each other and offer propositions to local and international markets.”

According to both businesses, the merger allows the new company to offer a much broader range of packaging types and solutions, including flexible and rigid packaging, prepress services and colour management.

Omniverse Foster also has the ability to produce short-run digital and short-run flexo mock-ups for its customers.

To celebrate joining forces, Omniverse Foster Packaging Group will host an official launch in Melbourne on November 23. 

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