Smartech Business Systems, an Asia Pacific provider of graphic technology solutions which purchased Quadient Oceania in January this year, is moving its global headquarters from Hong Kong to Sydney.
The company says Australia’s economic resilience through the pandemic and growth opportunities in the energy, resources, technology, food and beverage sectors were key decision drivers.
Smartech Business Systems President and CEO, Vincent Nair, said political unrest in Hong Kong was another factor.
“Australian investors are choosing to invest their money closer to home and back companies that directly participate in the Australian economy,” Nair said.
“Due to the complexities of running an international business head-quartered in Hong Kong at a time of significant political unrest we took the decision to relocate our HQ to my home country.”
Smartech Business Systems also supplies payment platforms, eCommerce solutions for postal systems.
Hong Kong will remain a mainstay in Asia
Hong Kong will remain a mainstay of Smartech’s Asian business and home to its major Asian customers.
In Australia, Smartech has 135 employees. It was a long-term partner of Quadient’s and is the channel partner of its mailroom automation solutions and has taken over its graphics technologies and software business in A/NZ.
Smartech is now responsible for 19,000 customers in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
“Smartech is a central partner in Australia and New Zealand representing the best and proven technology manufacturers in the world, including Quadient, HP, Epson, LG and Canon,” Nair said.
“We pride ourselves on delivering technology and service excellence on behalf of our global partners.”
Nair has over 26 years of experience in senior positions for companies including HP, Unisys, WIPRO Technologies, Lucent ALCATEL Technologies and Fuji Xerox.
He was the Vice President of Pitney Bowes Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East.
Acquisition trail
The company is still on the acquisition trail and hopes to make further acquisitions in the cybersecurity and big data analytics sectors, while also boosting its reseller network in Oceania.
“The decision to acquire Quadient Oceania was a natural fit for our overall business model and came at a time when Australia was entering its first COVID lockdown,” Nair said.
About Smartech
The eCommerce, print, mailing, inserter and sortation software business now complements Smartech’s three existing business divisions that offer software and IT managed services, hotel technology solutions as well as business systems relocation services. The company wants to grow further and has plans to recruit technology and sales specialists across Australia.
“It’s a great privilege to be working with an international board of directors, including Texas based chairman David Moore and leading a company and that uses its technology and customer service expertise to deliver products and solutions that have a positive impact on companies and end-users alike. Our culture here is simple; we’re here to serve and nurture our customers, help our employees grow and deliver value to our stakeholders,” concluded Nair.
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