Australian signage-and-everything-related company OMG! has acquired 40-year-old Port Melbourne sign company Adherettes.

The move follows Adherettes going into voluntary liquidation in December last year, with its liquidators Pitcher Partners actively seeking expressions of interest for the sale of the former.

Adherettes has built brands for some of Australia’s largest companies, including ANZ, Telstra, Medibank, Kmart, Westfield and JB Hi-Fi.

The company looked after the design, project management, manufacture and installation of signage and branding requirements, including bespoke, national rollout, wayfinding, architectural treatments and digital products.

OMG! CEO Joey Bacic said the acquisition comes off the back of an increased workload for signage and Out of Home business as Australia and the rest of the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are fortunate to be one of the few industries permitted to keep working in the COVID-19 environment, and OMG! is determined to play our part in ensuring the construction sector continues to thrive,” he said.

“The unprecedented challenge of COVID-19 has been a disruptive game changer for most industries, especially Out of Home, but I believe being able to leverage Adherettes’ outstanding detailed drawing and engineering capabilities, its R&D, and high-quality reputation, we will create new job opportunities across the country.

“Through our staff and network of suppliers, hundreds of families are on this journey with us and are keen to keep things moving. We expect to keep employing people to fulfil our growing work demands locally and internationally.”

Established in 2013 by Bacic, OMG! started as a builder of premium facade signage in Australia, drawing a list of clients including Lend Lease, Scentre Group/Westfield, Accor Hotels, Dior and Cartier.

“Specialising in the execution of branded environments, national rollouts, architectural wayfinding, environmental and digital installations, OMG! knows how to turn computer renders into reality for our clients,” Bacic mentioned.

“I’ve long respected and admired the enormous breadth of expertise Adherettes accumulated over the past 40 years and I look forward to integrating their skillsets into OMG!

“This acquisition refines even further what we do best, allowing us to further extend our premium offering to the out-of-home advertising and public art arenas.”

According to Bacic, this acquisition is just the start of OMG!’s ambitions, with the company in plans to expand the business into Singapore and San Francisco over the next year.

“We have the grit and determination to outwork anyone, as demonstrated by the fact that the majority of our business has been won by tender, or come through word of mouth and referral,” Bacic said.

“I am exceptionally proud of the partnerships our team has been able to secure and look forward to contributing to our clients’ ongoing success.”