still on the acquisition trail

http://www.moneymanagement.com.au/articles/cc/0c044dcc.asp

AWM remains acquisitive
Mike Taylor

Australian Wealth Management (AWM) has signalled its intention to pursue further acquisitions in the superannuation and funds management area, after reporting a 39 per cent increase in net profit after tax to $20.1 million.

AWM managing director Chris Kelaher pointed to the fact that AWM had completed a number of bolt-on acquisitions, including the Merrill Lynch (Super and Pension Fund) Limited, the WHK Umbrella Superannuation Fund and Challenger Funds Management Limited, and it continued to see similar acquisition opportunities in the area.

He said the AWM report represented the first since the completion of its merger with Selected Managed Funds.

Kelaher said the integration of the two businesses had begun, and the process had confirmed the board’s original view of a strong fit between the two businesses.

He said the company remained comfortable with the two-year integration timeframe that had been set for the process.