Packaging supplier Omniverse Group and flexible packaging manufacturing company Foster Packaging have today announced a merger that will give brand owners a significant alternative source of a full range of packaging from a supplier with a local manufacturing base and international sourcing reach.
Omniverse Foster Packaging Group is the name of the new entity, which will be head-quartered at its 3000m² premises in Melbourne's Oakleigh South, where the manufacturing facility and test lab are also located.
Both companies are well established packaging players, servicing Australian and multinational brand owners whose products are sold both locally and in export markets.
The group also has offices in China, sources packaging from Asia and Europe, and has a licensing contract on the cards with a US-based packaging supplier.
Asked about the reason behind the merger, directors Joe Foster and Brendan Yee concurred that after working together on a number of successful joint projects over the last few years, and recognising the technical expertise and breadth of product offering of the respective businesses, the synergistic opportunities soon became obvious.
The merger shifts both companies out of the SME space to create a mid-tier supplier as an alternative to major packaging manufacturers and packaging importers.
“As the packaging industry continues to consolidate at the top end, there's a strong demand for an alternative supplier to large companies,” Yee said.
Foster added: “The Australian manufacturing market needs a nimble local supplier with an international footprint – one that can innovate, provide speed to market, offer the flexibility to cater to any run size, while offering access to a full range of packaging from accredited international sources.”
“We're filling that gap, and providing a local packaging innovation base for brand owners, with a strong focus on flexible packaging,” Yee said.
“All packaging we supply is tested and checked for traceability at our in-house laboratory,” Foster said. “Our overseas factories are supported by our international technical offices, which enables us to ensure we manufacture to Australian quality standards.
“In the Australian market, the biggest growth currently is in flexibles, and in particular in flat-bottomed pouches. We're seeing huge demand coming from categories like seafood, petfood and coffee,” Foster said.
Both businesses have a historical strength in flexibles, and going forward the combined offering will include short-run digital, flexo and gravure printed options.
“This will be supported by colour management across flexible and rigid packaging formats to accommodate all print methods while maintaining brand integrity,” Yee said.
Omniverse Foster Packaging's product range will span flexible, rigid, and shelf ready packaging, complemented by packaging design and development, filling and testing services.
The company will be managed by the board comprising founding members Joe Foster (director, sales), Brendan Yee (director, sales), Darren Brits (COO), and Regan Foster (technical sales and operations manager).
