The OAMPS Group has been busy this month following the acquisition of WA-based marine insurance broker Gault Armstrong Kemble (GAK).

This acquisition is the third made by OAMPS over the past month, adding a total of more than $30 million a year to OAMPS sales.

The company recently purchased Unique Car Insurance, a specialist automotive underwriting agency based in Melbourne. Before that it acquired BGS Insurance Brokers, also Melbourne-based, which specialises in small business and the trades.

OAMPS Group CEO Tony Robinson says the company is making these acquisitions as part of a clearly defined strategy to build its presence in specialist insurance broking and underwriting agency markets.

“We are pursuing a growth strategy based on identifying niche markets where we believe we can enhance service offerings to customers,” he said. “We are expanding our presence in these niche markets through the acquisition of businesses that have a proven record of service delivery and profitability.

“In each of these three acquisitions, we are blending the knowledge and expertise of specialist firms with our extensive network and strength as one of Australia's largest insurance brokers and underwriting agencies.”

In the case of GAK, the group is building on its 2005 acquisition of Gault Armstrong in Sydney. Mr Robinson says BGS Insurance Brokers will increase the OAMPS presence in a market where it has been under-represented in the past. The acquisition of Unique Car Insurance has similar benefits.

“We will combine Unique Car Insurance with our own Vigil Underwriting Agencies, consolidating our position in the field of rare, classic and modified motor vehicles,” he said. “The scale of the combined businesses will offer customers additional services and give us opportunities for significant growth.”

Mr Robinson says OAMPS is continuing to seek acquisition opportunities, and several more are in the pipeline.