A Family Business Since 1987: The Direct Mail Services Story

Quick answer: Direct Mail Services was founded in 1987 by Colin Stoffberg after he identified a gap in the market for a mail fulfilment partner that understood marketing, not just printing and postage. Nearly forty years later, it remains family-run, which shapes how clients are served: direct access to decision-makers, personal accountability, and a focus on long-term relationships over one-off jobs.

Every mail-out we produce today traces back to a decision one person made nearly forty years ago.

Where It Started

Colin Stoffberg built his early career in sales and direct marketing through roles at City Ford and Dun & Bradstreet, before being head-hunted as Sales Director at Security Mail.

It was there that he spotted a gap in the market: businesses using direct mail as a targeted marketing channel needed a fulfilment partner who actually understood marketing, not just printing and postage. In 1987, he founded Direct Mail Services to fill that gap.

What Family-Run Actually Means Day to Day

Nearly forty years on, DMS is now run by the next generation, and being family-owned still shapes how the business operates in ways that go beyond the org chart.

It means clients dealing directly with the people making decisions, rather than being routed through layers of account management. It means a level of accountability that comes from your name being attached to the business, not just your job title.

Why It Still Matters in 2026

In an industry where a lot of fulfilment has consolidated into large, process-driven operators, being a smaller, family-run business is sometimes framed as a limitation.

Our clients, including smaller not-for-profits who don't have the volumes to command attention from bigger providers, tend to see it differently. They consistently tell us they get the same quality of service as much larger accounts, regardless of the size of their mailout.

That's the direct result of a business built by someone who came from marketing, not just printing, and one still run with that same original idea: a mail campaign is only as good as the partner behind it.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Direct Mail Services founded?

Direct Mail Services was founded in 1987 by Colin Stoffberg in Sydney.

Is Direct Mail Services still family-owned?

Yes. Nearly forty years after founding, DMS is now run by the next generation of the family and remains an Australian-owned, family-run business.

Want to work with a fulfilment partner that treats your campaign like it matters? Get in touch for a no-obligation quote.