Supplier shakeup as Starleaton buys DES

Sign and display supplies business Starleaton has bought DES in a major supplier consolidation, which will see the two companies join forces within six months to form a $30m-$40m business.

Starleaton is a major player in the signage sector while DES is a key operator in the commercial print market, both have a national footprint. Both are family owned companies with the Eaton clan at Starleaton and the Clare family at DES.

Ben Eaton, CEO of the Starleaton group says, “We have a strategy of growth through acquisition, DES is a perfect fit, we share the same values and operate in different but related markets.”

Part of the rationale for the deal is also the entry of major corporate such as Spicers and BJ Ball into the wide format supplies sector, with both companies growing strongly in this part of their business, as they seek to add growth opportunities to their paper merchanting activities which offer little room for growth and plenty for decline.

All DES staff will be retained, as will the DES head office in Rhodes. There will be some warehouse consolidation around the country with both business operating nationally out of capital cities. DES owner Ian Clare will stay with the company while the transition takes place over the next six months.

Eaton says “Over the past few years we have seen an enormous amount of compression in the Australian market in both the supply and print production corners of the industry. I have had great respect for DES over the years as I have watched the business grow both organically and through acquisitions of its own. The opportunity to bring two great brands under one roof furthers our plans while staying true to our message of offering a market leading portfolio of products and service.

“It is not often you find two family owned businesses that share the same passion and culture. This really is an exciting next move for us.”

Ian Clare, managing director of DES says, “Having spent the past few decades building the DES brand to what it is today, we were keen to see our efforts continue to be built on in the years to come. In that regard Starleaton clearly shares many of our philosophies that have driven our business to where it is today – a focus on leading brands and high quality products, and strong and reliable customer service.”

Russell Cavanagh, national sales manager at DES says, “It is a fantastic result, I am super positive. We will be able to offer an enhance range of products to the market and work off each other’s strengths.” 

DES is a well established supplier across a broad spectrum of print sectors, serving markets across Australia through its head office in Sydney, and offices and warehouses in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle, Canberra, and in New Zealand.

Founded in 1961, DES built a strong business in the CAD/GIS sector specialising in document management systems. Moving into the graphic arts sector, DES became a leader in colour management solutions working closely with other industry heavies such as EFI, CGS, and Mitsubishi.

Subsequent growth into the photo/fine art and the sign and display sectors has meant DES has one of the broadest product portfolios of any supplier in the ANZ market.

DES has a strong equipment offering which includes Epson, Seiko and EFI alongside colour management products including X-rite, allowing them to partner with many high volume producers which require high quality output.

The Starleaton business, founded in the late 1970s by Peter Eaton has expanded over the decades through various acquisitions and the set up of its SDS division in 2000. Operating out of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, SDS is home to exclusive brands such as Neschen, Seal and Contra Vision and recently announced adding Agfa to its stable.

SDS has differentiated itself by focusing on an extensive range of well targeted application-based products, and says it is the ‘go-to’ for specialised materials for its many sign and display customers.

The acquisition of the DES business strengthens the product portfolio on offer to the combined sets of customers. The joint product portfolios see the business having an even greater impact in the PSP, POS, exhibition, interior design and industrial print space.
 

 

 

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