NEWS

Allens helps steer Burson Group in auto parts acquisition

By Tom Story, Julian Donnan, Andrew Wiseman
Banking & Finance Capital Markets Competition, Consumer & Regulatory Financial Services Mergers & Acquisitions

Allens has advised leading automotive aftermarket parts specialist Burson Group Limited in its $275 million acquisition of Metcash Automotive Holdings.

Metcash Automotive Holdings, a subsidiary of Metcash Limited, is one of Australia's leading wholesalers and distributors of automotive aftermarket parts and accessories. Metcash Automotive Holdings operates well-known brands, such as Midas, ABS, Autobarn and Autopro.

The acquisition will see Burson acquire 100 per cent of Metcash Automotive Holdings as part of a transformative acquisition for the company.

The Allens team was led by M&A Partner Tom Story and Capital Markets Partners Julian Donnan and Rob Pick. Partner Andrew Wiseman handled the franchising law aspects of the deal and Partner Warwick Newell the debt financing aspects. Partner Fiona Crosbie advised on competition law issues.

Julian Donnan said it was pleasing to work on such a significant acquisition for a new client.

'This is our first matter with Burson and we are delighted to have worked alongside them in getting this deal to market,' Julian said.

'The transaction allowed the firm to demonstrate our capabilities across a number of different practice groups. The strong support for the acquisition from Burson shareholders is another sign that the Australian M&A market is picking up,' Tom Story said.

Allens legal team

Julian Donnan (Partner); Tom Story (Partner); Rob Pick (Partner); Fiona Crosbie (Partner); Warwick Newell (Partner); Andrew Wiseman (Partner), Anurag Verma (Senior Associate); Belinda Loke (Senior Associate), Hannah Biggins (Senior Associate), Rosannah Healy (Senior Associate); Dan Ireland (Associate), Annie Santamaria (Lawyer).

Ends

Notes for editors.

Allens is a commercial law firm working throughout Australia and Asia. Through its integrated alliance with Linklaters it provides clients access to 40 offices in 28 countries around the world.