Australia's Linx Cargo Care to buy wood processor Pedersen Group
By Sophie Boot
July 24 (BusinessDesk) - Sydney-based Linx Cargo Care Group is planning to buy wood processor Pedersen Group for an
undisclosed amount.
The two have entered into a conditional purchase agreement and expect the deal to be completed in mid-August, Linx said
in a statement. Rotorua-based Pedersen, owned by private equity firm Maui Capital, services the Kinleith and Kawerau
mills in New Zealand, Norske Skog's pulp mill in New South Wales, the Maryvale paper mill in Melbourne and the Vanua
Levu chip plant in Fiji.
The companies wouldn't comment on the purchase price but in the year ended March 31, 2017, a Maui company valued its 64
percent stake in Pedersen at $23.6 million, accounts filed to the Companies Office show. That implies a value of $36.9
million for the whole company at the time.
Linx operates across Australia and New Zealand. Its C3 business specialises in forestry logistics and operates in 13
ports in New Zealand, and has an existing joint venture with Pedersen for wood yard management.
Pedersen Group will continue to operate independently under the Pedersen brand following the completion of the
acquisition, and all 140 Pedersen employees will be retained by the new owner, the companies said.
"The acquisition of Pedersen Group by Linx Cargo Care Group will provide long-term stability for our employees and
customers, and the operational and financial capacity to allow our business to pursue its growth aspirations," Pedersen
Group chief executive Gavin Hudson said.
Anthony Jones, group chief executive for Linx and chair of C3, said the acquisition would help Linx improve its services
to forest owners and wood processing businesses and extend its global reach.
(BusinessDesk)
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