Australasia's largest field marketing provider acquired with Gadens' help

Corporate advisory and banking and finance experts from Gadens have played a key role in the acquisition of largest field marketing provider in Australia and New Zealand.

The national firm advised DKSH Smollan, which has acquired CROSSMARK for an undisclosed sum. Gadens said that DKSH Smollan, a joined venture between Swiss-listed DKSH and global retail services company Smollan, acquired CROSSMARK’s Australian entity. DKSH separately acquired CROSSMARK’s New Zealand entity.

Gadens said that the acquisitions add about 1,500 employees to the DKSH Smollan business. DKSH said that the acquisition adds around $71m in annual sales to the company.

DKSH said in February that since it owns 51% of DKSH Smollan, it will consolidate both entities by March. DKSH said that the acquisition boosts both its services portfolio of business unit consumer good, as well as its geographical market coverage in the Asia-Pacific region.

Gadens advised on all aspects of the transaction and worked closely with the DKSH Smollan team to ensure its successful completion, it said.

Partner Edward Nixey and partner Renae Suttor headed the Gadens team. Nixey was supported by special counsel Breanna Davies and associate Kevin McVeigh in the corporate advisory side, while lawyer Clive Robért assisted Suttor on banking and finance matters.

The acquisition makes the joint venture the leading retail services provider in Asia, Nixey said.