Industry Experience

Over the last 50+ years Johnsons Corporate has sold and acquired literally hundreds of mid-sized private businesses. Our clients represent a broad range of industry sectors, yet all have one thing in common – the need to find a strategic buyer or seller to optimise their outcome.

Recent Deals by Market Sector

If we take a ‘bird’s eye view’ most of our recent deals can be categorised into one of four broad segments. Click on a button to go directly to that section below and see some recent deals we’ve completed in your space.

MANUFACTURING & INDUSTRIAL SERVICES

Established businesses with a long-standing customer-base, proven track record and strong in-house expertise are attractive to both international & Australian trade buyers. Manufacturing acquisitions allow these acquirers to scale their operations, expand their capabilities &/or broaden their geographically footprint. Private equity and financial investors are also drawn to manufacturing & industrial services businesses in order to leverage the existing infrastructure and increase throughput to grow both revenues and earnings.

DIVERSIFIED ENGINEERING divestment

Torque Industries acquired by Coventry Group Ltd

A diversified engineering company, based in Adelaide and servicing a wide range of industrial customers…

INDUSTRIAL WATER BLASTING EQUIPMENTdivestment

Metco Industrial acquired by Thoroughclean Australia

Specialising in the design, assembly and manufacture of industrial water blasting equipment built to meet Australian conditions, the Business services markets…

JOINERY MANUFACTURINGdivestment

Mayneline Kitchens & Joinery acquired by an Undisclosed National Construction Group

Recognised as one of the leading and most reliable large-scale manufacturing joinery plants in Australia…

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERINGdivestment

SRO Group acquired by Murray Engineering

Leading Eastern Seaboard supplier of turnkey electrical infrastructure for heavy industrial projects…

IRRIGATION SOLUTIONSdivestment

Campaspe Irrigation acquired by Darling Irrigation

Provider of turnkey irrigation solutions to the agricultural market in regional Victoria…

STAINLESS STEEL FABRICATIONdivestment

Bridgeman Stainless Solutions acquired by an UnDisclosed Buyer

A leading supplier of customised stainless steel solutions to a range of industry sectors…

FURNITURE DESIGN & MANUFACTURINGdivestment

Schamburg + Alvisse acquired by Zenith Interiors

Award-winning, niche Australian designer & manufacturer of commercial eco-furniture for corporate and public sector…

INDUSTRIAL FLUID POWER SOLUTIONSdivestment

Hi Way Hydraulics acquired by Coventry Group Ltd

For over 40 years Hi-Way Hydraulics has specialised in the sales, service and repairs of hydraulic equipment…

ENGINEERING & FABRICATIONdivestment

Baxter Engineering sold to Internal Management Team

Multi-disciplined engineering business with three divisions dealing with private & government clients…

MEDICAL FURNITURE DESIGN & MANUFACTURINGdivestment

Australian Medical Couches acquired by Forme Technologies

Australian designer and light manufacturer of couches and tables for medical practitioners…

INDUSTRIAL HYDRAULICS SERVICESdivestment

Air Hydraulic Power Centre acquired by Pacific Hoists

Repairs, maintenance & sales of pneumatic tools, high pressure hydraulics and heavy lift equipment…

INDUSTRIAL BOILERSacquisition

O’Brien Boiler Services acquires Waratah Automation

An established operator and market leader within the industrial and commercial boiler sector…

MECHANICAL ENGINEERINGdivestment

SRO Group (Mechanical Division) acquired by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics

Mechanical Engineering Division of a larger engineering company, providing tailored designs and custom manufacture …

HVAC BUILDING SERVICESdivestment

Computer Air Services acquired by Grosvenor Engineering

Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) business. Leader in supply, installation & maintenance…

RECREATIONAL VEHICLE SERVICES & PARTSdivestment

Northern RV Group sold to Australia’s Fleetwood Corporation

A publicly-listed company acquires a leading Australian supplier of products and services to the recreational vehicle sector…

HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING SERVICES & SUPPLIESdivestment

Fluid Power Services sold to ASX-Listed Coventry Group

A leading Tasmanian provider of hydraulic engineering services and supplies…

PESTICIDE MANUFACTURING & SUPPLYdivestment

Triox sold to ASX-Listed DGL Group

A manufacturer-supplier of advanced pesticides develops proprietary solutions for agri and home improvement markets…

OPTICAL FIBRE EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING & SERVICINGdivestment

Optical Fibre Systems sold to Maranello Capital

Niche supplier of optical fibre equipment and services sold to privately owned investment vehicle…

HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURINGdivestment

Eastern Automation sold to HI Fraser Group

Niche provider of fluid power and process control solutions with long-established factory infrastructure in China…

BUILDING MATERIALS MANUFACTURINGdivestment

Ausdeck Group sold to Alpin Group

Leading manufacturer of building materials sold to Australian financial buyer…

CRITICAL POWER ELECTRICAL SERVICESdivestment

Power Protect sold to BGIS Asia Pacific

Independent supplier of critical power services sold to multinational facilities management provider…

TECHNOLOGY & ECOMMERCE

The rapidly growing technology, online and eCommerce sectors are all highly dynamic in terms of M&A activity. The acquisition of technology and online businesses is attractive to both local and international trade buyers as well as financial investors, who seek to gain new capabilities, market share, proprietary IP, established customer-bases etc. For suitable mid-sized technology & online businesses, with recurring revenues and earnings that can be leveraged and scaled, a strong appetite exists supported by higher market valuations.

ECOMMERCE SPARE PARTS divestment

Australian Online Spare Parts Reseller sold to an Undisclosed Overseas Buyer

A fast-growing online reseller of spare parts & consumables for a wide range of consumer goods, spanning most categories of domestic appliances and consumer electronics…

IT MANAGED SERVICESdivestment

BusinessWorks purchased by Hal Group

Experiencing strong uptake of its managed services plans, BusinessWorks’s one-stop offering and high service levels differentiate it from competitors in a fast growing market…

ONLINE BUSINESS REVIEWSdivestment

Word of Mouth Online acquired by Oneflare

Australia’s leading consumer generated business review site, offering a ‘one-stop’ directory…

ONLINE SECURITY SOFTWAREdivestment

Intersect Alliance acquired by Prophecy International

Niche security software company dealing with government & corporate clients globally…

DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONSacquisition

Lanier acquires Inspire IT

Leading provider of document management solutions with circa AUD $100M turnover. Lanier is a division of Ricoh Group…

ECOMMERCE SPORTS MERCHANDISE divestment

Market Sports Online sold to GPI Group

Leading, online reseller of genuine AFL-endorsed sports merchandise with largest product range in Australia…

SOCIAL MEDIA SERVICESdivestment

Two Social Pty Ltd acquired by iSentia

Niche online media & communications business helping Corporate Clients maximise opportunities via social media channels…

IT MANAGED SERVICESacquisition

ASI Solutions acquires Int Tec Solutions

One of Australia’s leading national IT Services Providers continues its fast-growth trajectory with the acquisition of a regional operator…

ENGINEERING SOFTWAREdivestment

ITS Integrated Technical Software sold to Strusoft AB

Australia’s leading software solution for structural engineers sold to fast-growing multinational software enterprise…

AUDIOVISUAL SOLUTIONSdivestment

Empowered Learning sold to Modern Star Group

Leading provider of audiovisual solutions to the education sector sold to multinational supplier of educational resources.

ONLINE GIFTWARE RETAILERdivestment

Yellow Octopus sold to Marlin Brands

Leading Australian online giftware retailer sold to overseas private equity-backed consumer durables company…

IT CLOUD SERVICESacquisition

Canon Business Services acquires Satalyst

Australian subsidiary of a leading global technology services provider acquires WA-based Microsoft Gold Partner…

IMPORT &/OR DISTRIBUTION

Distribution businesses are in constant demand, whether selling directly B2C or acting as a B2B supplier to retailers or other distributors. These types of businesses are generally assessed on their gross margins, available capacity to increase sales and throughput, &/or their exclusive access to certain products or brands. For all types of import & distribution businesses, inventory management is key to ensuring the level & type of stock carried is current, readily saleable and in line with industry turnover ratios. Whilst net margins are also important, those with strong gross margins and/or exclusive access to in-demand products or brands make great bolt-ons for other larger operators in the same or related sectors.

INDUSTRIAL MOTORS & POWER TRANSMISSIONdivestment

EdingtonAgencies purchased by Aldridge Capital

A specialist provider of high quality, globally sourced electric motors and power transmission products that it supplies as part of best practice solutions to the HVAC and industrial service & replacement markets…

WHOLESALE PROMOTIONAL APPARELdivestment

Superior Activewear purchased by Gildan Inc.

A market leading importer & national distributor of premium printable apparel, which it supplied to a wide range of Australian wholesalers…

WHOLESALE & RETAIL FOOD PRODUCTSdivestment

Kaytering Supplies & Kays Wholesale Meats acquired by NFD Food Services

An award-winning, family-owned foodservice distribution group, comprising two inter-related divisions…

INDUSTRIAL PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENTacquisition

Paramount Safety Products acquires Pratt Safety Systems

A leading national manufacturer and distributor of industrial personal protection equipment undertakes a strategic acquisition…

AGED CARE MOBILITY EQUIPMENT divestment

Mobility Aids Australia acquired by Independence Australia

National distributor of market-leading powered and non-powered mobility aids and equipment…

AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIESdivestment

Ryan Auto Accessories acquired by Seat Cover World

Specialising in automotive aftermarket accessories for over 20 years, this business imported and wholesaled…

INDUSTRIAL TOOLS & EQUIPMENTdivestment

Tradequip acquired by Borum Importers

A leading Australian supplier of industrial tools and equipment for the professional trades markets…

INDUSTRIAL ABRASIVES & EQUIPMENTdivestment

Pan Abrasives sold to Abrasiflex

Importer and wholesale distributor of abrasive blasting equipment with exclusive Australian rights to distribute PanBlast™ products…

WHOLESALE TOYS & HOBBY GOODS divestment

Dawn Trading acquired by Hobbies Australia

One of Australia’s leading importers and distributors of toy and hobby products…

INDUSTRIAL VALVE PRODUCTSdivestment

AVFI Valve Solutions acquired by Pon Group

One of Australia’s leading suppliers of water management valve products and product solutions…

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENTdivestment

Workforce Clothing acquired by ATOM

A long-standing & trusted supplier of high-quality industrial workwear, Workforce presented a compelling proposition…

FRESH PRODUCE DISTRIBUTIONdivestment

Beemart Fruit & Veg acquired by JE Tipper

Offering an end-to-end fresh produce service that spans wholesaling, marketing, transport, retail…

HEALTHCARE SUPPLIESdivestment

Acuneeds Australia sold to Seirin Corp

Leading distributor of complementary healthcare supplies sold to Japanese manufacturer of acupuncture needles.

INDUSTRIAL PUMPS DISTRIBUTIONdivestment

Pumpseal Sales sold to Pump Engineers

Longstanding wholesale distribution business, specialising in the sales and service of industrial pumps

BUSINESS &/OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

The provision of business &/or professional services continues to form a major part of the Australian economy. Generally, these types of business carry nominal hard assets (plant & equipment) and tend to rely on people, IP or core processes as their underlying assets. It’s usually teams of staff or a handful of key management roles within the organisation, which are relied on to deliver results. The attractiveness of these types of businesses is linked to the longevity & depth of their customer relationships as well as their ability to market the strengths, skills and experience of their people. Valuations of services businesses involve a high component of goodwill, and as such M&A transactions involving them often require some type of deal structuring, such as earn outs or deferred payments over an agreed period, etc.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICESdivestment

Crown Project Services sold to Currie & Brown

Provider of independent project management services to Australia’s property and infrastructure sectors, with an impressive track record of major project completions across Australia’s eastern seaboard…

TECHNICAL TRAINING EQUIPMENTdivestment

Universal Technical Training Services acquired by Bestech

Specialist provider of surveying solutions to the Australian building & construction industry…

POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL TRAININGdivestment

Critical CareEducation Services sold to Medcast

Niche training organisation that provides highly specialised, face-to-face post-graduate training programs to healthcare practitioners across Australia…

COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGNdivestment

Elsie+Betty Design acquired by WG Architects

Boutique interior design consultancy, specialising in premium commercial fit-outs, sold to growing architectural practice…

EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL SERVICESdivestment

Trekset Tours acquired by WorldStrides

Educational Tour business established 30+ years ago. Market leader in school and student ski travel…

AGED & CHILDCARE TRAININGdivestment

Practical Outcomes acquired by Careers Training Group

An established and award-winning Registered Training Organisation offering a range of market-leading training courses…

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTINGdivestment

Vision Environment acquired by Trinity Consultants

Regional environmental consultancy, specialising in marine ecosytems, features in-house expertise & proprietary technologies…