Precision Group and Melbourne Mailing to merge

Precision Group and Melbourne Mailing are joining forces to create a full service marketing agency powerhouse, offering direct mail, print, graphic design, data analytics and logistics services, which it says will rival Australia’s largest providers. 

The latest in a wave of Melbourne mergers will see Precision CEO Cory Hall become CEO of the new company, with the Precision plant, including its six-colour A1 offset press, moving into the new Melbourne Mailing facility at Somerton – which is only a few minutes away from its current factory – between now and the end of the year.

Melbourne Mailing CEO Felice Armato will stay with the business and take a more client facing role, general manager Sandra Manning will stay in a more finance focused role. There are not intended to be any staff reductions among what will be a combined workforce of more than 100 employees.

The two businesses will operate separately in the short term, and it will be ‘business as usual’ across both sites until Precision is fully onsite. A name for the merged company has yet to be finalised.

CEO Cory Hall said, “Coming together will deliver real benefits to customers, as we will be able to utilise each others’ skills, knowledge and equipment. Both are profitable businesses, merging into one will provide a clear growth path.”

He said, “We are committed to working collaboratively to combine the best systems and processes from each organisation to create a new industry benchmark”.

Established in 1993, Melbourne Mailing provides direct mail and 3PL (third party logistics) services throughout Australia. Recently moving to a huge 15,000sqm warehouse facility in Somerton, it has cemented its place in the market and continues to grow year on year

Precision Group was founded in 2008, and some 14 years on, has made its mark in the print, direct mail, fundraising and marketing agency space, quickly establishing a stronghold in Australia, and further expanding operations into New Zealand. It runs a six-colour A1 offset press, digital presses, and inkjet press, and a host of finishing and mailing equipment. Its print is a back-end function of its front-end activities, and is growing strongly, with CEO Hall saying “it is 20-25 per cent bigger year on year”.

Hall has 25 years’ experience in the industry, including 11 years with Melbourne Mailing where he started his career as an apprentice, and then worked in a variety of roles, including machine operator, production manager, business development and operations manager, before leaving to found Precision Group.

He said, “This merger will bring together some of the most talented people in the industry. Both companies have similar DNA and have expanded in their respective specialties, but together, our market offer is unique.”

“This is an exciting time,” said Melbourne Mailing CEO, Felice Armato. “In the past we have competed strongly in the marketplace, but together with Precision Group, we have great people, enormous firepower, and an extended market reach.

“We are excited to extend and grow our commitment to provide innovative solutions that enable brands to connect with people through effective strategies and memorable experiences.

Hall said, “Both teams have decades of industry experience and harnessing this expertise will benefit our clients and provide opportunities for the future development of our staff.”