The Melbourne signage company told ProPrint it had finalised a deal last week for a controlling stake in Mornington-based SLS.

AFI wouldn’t reveal what sort of boost the takeover would give to its revenue, although managing director Glenn Watson said “the improved efficiencies and streamlined processes” would produce “a significant benefit to AFI’s bottom line”.

The merged company has gained three staff and one manufacturing facility.

It now has more than 30 employees across five sites: manufacturing facilities at Carrum Downs and Mornington and sales offices in Sydney, Brisbane and Hobart.

SLS had previously supplied AFI with aluminium hardware and complex and technical installations. That will now be brought in-house and will make operations and development more efficient, according to Watson.

“The very best of what fabric has to offer is what we’ve invested in in making this recent acquisition. Fabric can be used in a variety of ways that the Australian market is just starting to appreciate and explore,” he said.

“The integration of the two companies and the development of new initiatives and products will take place as a priority in the coming months and will enhance both the products and service that AFI’s clients have come to know and expect, but with a new drive towards really pushing the creative and innovation envelope.”

AFI marketing manager Liane Watson said formal discussions between the two companies had started in February following informal discussions last year.

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