Salmat (SLM)

Shares / Stock Code

SLM

Stock Exchange / Sharemarket

ax

Salmat (SLM) is a communications company providing customer communication services through direct mail advertising, mailing, computer and telemarketing services. The Company mainly operates in Australia, with operations also held in New Zealand and Asia Pacific. SLM listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on 2nd December, 2002 and to date it employs over 5,000 people. The Company operates through four business divisions: MediaForce, BusinessForce, SalesForce and DigitalForce. MediaForce activities include the delivery of advertising catalogues to homes throughout Australia and New Zealand. BusinessForce division includes the processing and mailing of bank, credit card statements, accounts and other customized bulk mailings in Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines. Its services include the processing, printing and mailing of the electronic data received from customers by using technology. SalesForce division deals with inbound and outbound telephone, fax, e-mail and online communications for its clients, from facilities in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and the Philippines. Inbound services comprise technical support and customer care services; whereas outbound services comprise telemarketing, direct sales and customer retention. Salmat also offers business-to-business and business-to-consumer conversations solutions through diverse sales support services. On November 2, 2007, SLM acquired HPAL Limited. SLM is considered as the largest distributor of unaddressed catalogues and leaflets across Australia.

Salmat History

Salmat was co-founded by Philip Salter and Peter Mattick in 1979, with a focus on letterbox distribution network. Soon it expanded into a national operation and introduced laser printing and direct mailing business. Salmat listed on 2 December 2002. During mid 1990s the Company acquired a leading position in data management, document management, targeted distribution and response management industry. It moved into the telecommunication industry, by setting up call centres for inbound and outbound tele-services. In 1995, it acquired Deltarg to expand its letterbox delivery and customer targeting services into the New Zealand. In 1996, SLM expanded into Asia and began operations in the Philippines. In 2002, it acquired the interest of Jardine Matheson in the Asian joint ventures. It acquired the 51% holding of ePLDT’s in the Philippines operation in 2003. In 2004, Salmat completed the purchase of SalesForce, a call centre and direct sales organization and acquired the NSW Government Printing Service in 2005. It sold its Philippines holding to ClientLogic Corporation in 2006. In 2006, it also completed the purchase of Dialect Interactive, a key provider of SMS, IVR & Web hosted services. In 2007, SLM launched Lasoo.com.au, which is an online catalogue and pre-shopping search engine. Salmat amalgamated its BPO operations with HPA, a major provider of customer outsourcing (BPO) services in 2007.