Deal profile | Gadens advises on transaction joining two dynamic Australian logistics companies

Gadens has advised Silk Contract Logistics (Silk), a major player in the Australian supply chain and logistics industry, on its acquisition of 100% of the shares in Rocke Brothers wharf cartage business.

In a transaction that brings together two companies with substantial histories in Victoria’s wharf cartage industry, the multi-disciplinary team at Gadens supported the successful sale.

Advising on all aspects of the transaction, the team at Gadens undertook the required due diligence, drafting and negotiating of transaction documentation and financing arrangements, and provided transaction structuring advice taking into account various complexities in the transaction.

A multi-disciplinary team from across Gadens Corporate Advisory involving mergers and acquisitions, Banking & Finance, Property, Construction & Planning and Employment Advisory practice groups ensured these unique issues were considered through a specialists’ lens.

Gadens partner, Stephen Moulton said “this was not a straight-forward transaction and it required a strategic approach. In the end, it was a good transaction for both parties and all parties adopted a commercial approach to resolving the myriad of issues that arose throughout.”

In a statement from the Managing Director of Silk, Brendan Boyd said “this purchase marks the coming together of two dynamic logistics companies, each with a strong history in the wharf cartage industry in Australia.”

Deal value: Confidential.

Law firms involved: Baker McKenzie acted as legal advisers to Rocke Brothers, Ashurst acted as legal advisers to Westpac, and King & Wood Mallesons acted as legal advisers to Tor.

Other advisors: 333 Capital acted as corporate advisers to Silk and PwC Australia their financial and tax advisers.

Deal area: Gadens Corporate Advisory and mergers and acquisitions specialist partner Stephen Moulton led the multi-practice deal team, which included specialists from Banking & Finance, Property, Construction & Planning, and Employment Advisory.

Key team members:

Corporate Advisory & Tax: Stephen Moulton (Partner), Winnie Sinn (Senior Associate), Elizabeth Chow (Lawyer) and James Langanis (Lawyer).

Banking & Finance: Elliot Raleigh (Partner) and Harveen Dhaliwal (Lawyer).

Property, Construction & Planning: Meg Lee (Partner), Sean Huggins (Special Counsel) and Zina Teoh (Associate).

Employment Advisory: Ian Dixon (Partner), Tessa Duthie (Associate) and Stacey Nicolaou (Lawyer).