Bunzl expands footprint in Australia

Distribution and outsourcing firm Bunzl has bought three units from Australian industrial and safety company Jeminex in an attempt to expand its footprint in a key market.

The businesses, all based in Sydney, focus on three specialist markets and "significantly increases the size of our business in Australasia and extends our operations there into the safety market which is a successful sector for us in many countries", according to Chief Executive Officer Michael Roney.

Bunzl has purchased Jeminex's workwear and personal safety division, distributing personal protection equipment, industrial clothing and workwear to the mining, resources, construction and general industrial sectors.

Lifting, rigging and height safety operations will also be added to Bunzl's portfolio, as well as the supply of industrial packaging products.

Roney said: "[The acquisition] also provides us with the opportunity to sell our extensive product range to Jeminex's existing customer base. We are delighted to welcome the employees of each of the businesses to Bunzl".

Revenues of these three businesses are expected to total A$160m (around £107m) in 2013.