Associated Kiln Driers Softwoods (AKD) has confirmed that it has finalised the purchase of Carter Holt Harvey’s (CHH) New South Wales sawmilling business. The major assets of this business comprise of the Tumut sawmill, Gilmore treatment facility, a 50% interest in the Highland Pine Products (HPP) joint venture in Oberon and a distribution centre in Berkeley Vale.

The Tumut sawmill processes approximately 565,000 m3 of sawlogs producing a range of outdoor and structural products and the Gilmore treatment facility is a value adding site also located in Tumut. The HPP joint venture processes approximately 600,000 m3 of sawlog. All of the nearly 500 NSW employees will continue to be employed by the business.

AKD’s Chief Executive Officer Shane Vicary explains “we are excited to be acquiring the assets and merging the NSW people into our AKD team, the operations are well run and operated by dedicated, talented and passionate people.”

AKD Softwoods is a privately-owned Australian company with a proud history of 60 years in the forest industry, with 55 of those years as softwood sawmillers. From humble beginnings in the regional Victorian town of Colac where the head office remains, AKD as of today will have 12 operational sites across 3 states and employ over 1000 people.

“We are proud of our story, the products we produce and relationships we hold with our customers, employees, suppliers and communities” says Mr Vicary. “We see the NSW business as a strategic fit for the AKD Group as we have a long-term dedication to our industry producing timber products for the Australian market. This opportunity will provide AKD with a larger range and volume of products, and greater flexibility with multiple sites located across the eastern seaboard to offer new and existing customers superior service and supply security”.

This expansion continues AKD’s approach of growth and sustainability through strategic acquisitions and continual capital investment, cementing its commitment to the industry.

LINX Cargo Care Group, and its subsidiary C3 Limited, has announced  that it has been successful in its bid to acquire Pedersen Group, a market leading provider of wood chipping and woodyard management services to pulp and paper mills, and forest owners in Australia and New Zealand.

Pedersen Group handles over 8.3 million tonnes per annum of wood fibre across its operations, in the form of logs, wood chip and hog fuel. The company employs 140 people across Australia and New Zealand and has an existing joint venture with C3 Limited, which provides wood yard management services to customers.

LINX Cargo Care Group is delighted to enter into a purchase agreement with Pedersen Group and take the next step in the evolution of both companies, which is expected to be completed mid-August.

Pedersen Group CEO Gavin Hudson said the conditional agreement reached this week will provide the Pedersen Group with an aligned and committed long-term owner, which will enable Pedersen Group to continue to focus on providing critical services to its customers.

“We are delighted to finalise this agreement with LINX Cargo Care Group. 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”, Mr Hudson said.

Anthony Jones, Group CEO for LINX Cargo Care Group and Chairman of C3 Limited said the acquisition of Pedersen Group brings a complementary service offering to customers, including a highly skilled workforce who specialise in wood chipping and woodyard management.

“LINX, C3 and Pedersen share a long and rich history in the forestry industry. Our combined expertise and experience will provide an enhanced customer offering, further access to capital, and the opportunityto collaborate and collectively grow into the future,” he said.

“We are very excited to welcome Pedersen Group to LINX Cargo Care’s group of companies. Pedersen’swill enable our organisation to grow its services to forest owners and wood processing businesses. In addition, Pedersen’s capabilities and services complement C3’s existing customer offering and willextend our reach to a customer base in diversified global markets.

“The synergies and strategic alignment between Pedersen’s and C3’s forestry business is significant. Importantly, our company values are closely aligned, and we very much look forward to welcomingPedersen’s talented and highly skilled workforce to the team,” Mr Jones said.

Pedersen Group will continue to operate independently under the Pedersen brand following the completion of the acquisition, and all Pedersen employees will be retained by the new owner.

Media Contact: Kate Carulli 0458 458 863 or k.carulli@linxcc.com.au
Photo: Anthony Jones, Group CEO for LINX Cargo Care Group